Interviews From Havana - Eusebio Leal

The restoration of Old Havana in the heart of the Cuban capital has attracted tremendous interest and commendation worldwide. This is not only due to Old Havana's beauty and historical charm -it has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site- but also how the restoration efforts went hand in hand with concrete measures and projects to improve the lives of neighborhood residents. The guiding hand behind the entire restoration project was and is City Historian Eusebio Leal. With a list of academic studies, awards, and titles that would span several pages, Leal has also, on three occasions, been a deputy in the Cuban National Assembly. In today's program, host Cristina Escobar interviews Leal on the background to the current restoration efforts, the challenges posed in the reconstruction of Old Havana during the country's economic crisis of the 1990s, Fidel Castro's personal interest and input into the project, how the necessary funds were obtained, the new cultural, health-care, educational, and other institutions that were created in the historic center of Havana as a result of the renovation drive, and future plans around the city. teleSUR