Talk:Santa Clara, Cuba

"Traditional" places
"Parque Vidal is probabaly one of the most traditional places in Cuba." What could this mean? I've been to Parque Vidal several times, and it's nice but is it really so different from other Cuban city squares? If so, is there any reference from these unusual customs? &mdash; MikeG (talk) 14:06, 2 December 2006 (UTC)
 * Some parts of the article have been long modified so, unfortunately I can not be assure how did the sentence actually was, but the expression "..most traditional places in Cuba" was textually taken from a book, maybe I should have included the reference when I wrote that part. Sorry for that. But here is the catch, in comments coming from both of you lead to think the difference might be geographically (or architecturally) and of course you both are right that it's not the case, Vidal Park lookls like any other park in Cuba, it was made following Spanish standards. The difference was in the hinterland's customs held on it since its creation, that was what made it different form others. I believe there is some extra info about it in the Parks own page.--Lezumbalaberenjena (talk) 20:56, 1 October 2008 (UTC)

I was at this city square in May 2006. It didn't strike me as any different than any of the other city squares I visited in Cuba (excepting, of course, Havana's Plaza de la Revolucion. The customs referred to seem to be lost (at least they were on the day I visited). I suspect evidence of them may not exist outside of that contributor's own recollection (and maybe scattered newspapers or esoteric writings from Cuba). I won't be the one to remove it though - I think it's interesting and should stand. takethemud 17:31, 2 December 2006 (UTC) Mi
 * Thank you for not been the one taking out information. I can assure you that some traditional customs are still alive; The city's Philharmonic Band stills performs once a week(Thursday's night), and also still alive is one of it's oldest traditions which is a "Danzon" day (Cuba's national dance), I have a last year picture of elders in the park dancing to the beat of Danson. Of course the division of sexes long disappear, so of course and not mention in the article for obvious reasons, Vidal had centuries ago spots for Black and White people.--Lezumbalaberenjena (talk) 20:56, 1 October 2008 (UTC)

On the park, there is a statue of a young boy hoding up one of his boots in one hand. I saw representations of that statue in several other places in Santa Clara. What is it about?

Also, I was there on the square March 17 2009, a Tuesday night. I saw Folk dances, a concert, and outdoor plays, all in the park. It starts around 9 in the evening. Hudicourt (talk) 18:03, 31 March 2009 (UTC)

This page speaks to much about Che Guevara. Santa Clara was founded in the 1600s and is a major Cuban City. There are other articles about Che, the Battle of Santa Clara, and the Revolution.

Again, there is no need to turn this page into a Che memorial. There are links to pages that discuss these issues.

The sentence "Two important figures have long honored the grounds of the city; Marta Abreu de Estevez and Ernesto Che Guevara" is definitely a POV and insulting to Marta Abreu. While Marta is the main benefactor of the city, Che has NOTHING to do with Santa Clara. His relation is just the battle he waged in this town like he did in other parts of Cuba plus he married a local woman and later was buried here. If we are going to add characters like Che with plenty of blood in his hands, we should add General Machado born in the outskirts of Santa Clara and president of Cuba, or General Wyler who also spent some time in Santa Clara and instituted in one of its hills one of the first concentration camps in history. I propose Che is deleted and keep just the reference to Marta Abreu.Rbasnuevo 14:42, 15 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Like you I also believe he was no better that a common murderer, and actually I was the one that included the information of Marta Abreu, the true benefactor, because it was mention nowhere. But unfortunately history can not be rewritten and changed at will and it doesn't matter how much blood he had in his hands he was there (again unfortunately) and it's part of the local history. I'd like to see less of him written everyplace, I would definitely die happier the day Marta's historic significance it's restored but I will not be the one removing others information. By the way Machado has his own (very large) entry, and I guess so is Weyler.--Lezumbalaberenjena (talk) 20:56, 1 October 2008 (UTC)

The reason Che is there is because today, the Che Memorial is the main tourist attraction in Santa Clara. Every day, hundreds of tourists in buses comes on day tours from Cuban resorts and other cities, just to visit the Che Memorial. I saw 10 buses at least during the two hours I was there on a Tuesday morning. Entry is free and there are free tour guides that speak every language. That was also the reason of my visit. Although I did visit other parts of Santa Clara, before arriving and not having read anything about the city, all I knew about the city was its association with Che, the battle of Santa Clara (the last one in the Cuban Revolution) and the fact that Che was buried there. So I don't think this is POV.

By the way, the old fire house mentionned in the article is now being renovated. Hudicourt (talk) 18:09, 31 March 2009 (UTC)

I think “two important figures have long honored the grounds of the city” is a POV. I agree that today the Che Memorial is one of the main attractions in Santa Clara but that is very different that honoring the city. Maybe this part should be edited (just my 2-cents.) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rbasnuevo (talk • contribs) 21:39, 19 September 2014 (UTC)