The Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso is undergoing renovations once more due to severe termite infestations and structural damage, less than a decade after a major restoration that cost millions. This iconic theater in the capital is currently in the midst of a construction investment project focused on its main hall and several areas with the goal of promptly resuming its high-quality artistic programming, as reported by Hola Habana magazine on Canal Habana's Facebook page.
Back in February 2023, it was announced that the theater had closed its doors again due to damage in the main hall caused by termites and top slab displacements, according to officials. Lillitsy Hernández Oliva, president of the National Council of Performing Arts, detailed additional issues such as leaks in the air conditioning system, roof damage on the third floor, and harm due to sound vibrations.
Home to the National Ballet of Cuba and host to numerous national and international events, the theater underwent a significant renovation between 2013 and 2015. This substantial investment included restoring the facades, lobbies, balconies, roofing, and flooring, as well as providing new furniture, curtains, climate control, acoustics, stage mechanics, rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, and more than 20 dressing rooms. It reopened in January 2016, just weeks before the official visit of then-U.S. President Barack Obama, who addressed the Cuban people from the theater.
Recent intervention efforts have sparked criticism on social media. Many users expressed disappointment over the lack of maintenance and transparency regarding resource use. "A theater that was restored not long ago, and now we're back to square one," commented Carlos Sanabria, while Yoa Pzm noted, "Clearly, the money and resources were misappropriated during its major restoration."
Recent images of the Gran Teatro de La Habana, one of Cuba's most significant architectural and cultural landmarks, reveal dirty entrances, trash accumulating in corners, urine stains on columns, and homeless individuals sleeping at its doorsteps. In contrast, the once-renowned Teatro Musical de La Habana has suffered a worse fate, now abandoned and turned into a dump in Centro Habana.
Meanwhile, in Matanzas, the historic Sauto Theater is facing vandalism and other damages, with mentally ill individuals wandering its premises.
Key Issues Facing the Gran Teatro de La Habana
What are the main reasons for the current renovations at the Gran Teatro de La Habana?
The theater is undergoing renovations due to severe termite infestations and structural damage, as well as issues with the air conditioning system and roof damages.
How did social media react to the recent renovations?
Social media reactions have been critical, with users expressing concerns about the lack of maintenance and transparency in resource management, indicating potential misappropriation of funds during previous renovations.
What historical significance does the Gran Teatro de La Habana hold?
The Gran Teatro de La Habana is a significant cultural landmark in Cuba, home to the National Ballet of Cuba and a venue for major national and international events, including a speech by former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2016.