The sculpture known as The Woman with the Parasol, a decorative fixture of the pedestrian boulevard in Holguín, collapsed Friday night, as reported by the Facebook page Holguín en fotos.
This piece, crafted from reinforced concrete with a finish mimicking bronze patina, depicted a female figure poised on a rock, holding an open parasol in her right hand. For weeks, its precarious state had been evident.
On April 5, the same page warned that the sculpture was in a dire state, featuring deep cracks, holes at its base, rusted metal rods, and a dangerous forward lean. The alert called on the authorities to "act urgently before it completely deteriorates or someone gets hurt."
Authorities took no action in the following six weeks.
Unheeded Warnings Lead to Collapse
After the collapse, those documenting the incident reached out to the artist and creator of the work, identified as Silvio, who was in Mexico at the time.
From afar, Silvio provided instructions for safely dismantling the piece to prevent further damage.
"We got in touch with Silvio, the sculptor, and he left instructions on how to remove it. Hopefully, it won't break more during the process. It is salvageable," stated another video on the same page.
The sculpture was removed from its location and taken to the sculptor's home. "We moved it and are on our way to leave it at Silvio's house for safekeeping until a decision is made to restore and reinstall it," the narrator added.
Historical Neglect and Community Frustration
In April, a citizen named Katia Oduardo Grimal had suggested the same course of action. "I believe they should remove it and keep it safe until the sculptor restores it; it’s also a hazard to people," she stated.
This incident is part of a documented pattern of urban and heritage neglect in Holguín, a city once famed as one of Cuba's cleanest and best-preserved.
In May, the sword of the statue of national hero Julio Grave de Peralta was stolen for the third time from the Park of Flowers.
In December 2025, a man was caught on camera tearing down a fence in the same park in broad daylight, with no intervention.
In April, the old Holguín-Gibara train station was documented as a dumping ground for trash and debris.
The Liberty Street boulevard, stretching 280 meters and inaugurated in 2005, has lost its pedestrian-only status, with tricycles, motorbikes, bicycles, and agricultural vendors now frequenting the once-exclusive space, previously prohibited and fined.
"We used to pride ourselves on being a clean city, where order, respect, and civility prevailed. This lack of civic pride cannot be a hallmark of Holguín's citizens," lamented Manuel Iniesta Ortega, echoing the sentiments of those watching their city deteriorate amid governmental inaction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holguín's Urban Neglect
What caused the collapse of the sculpture in Holguín?
The sculpture collapsed due to prolonged neglect, with existing structural damage such as deep cracks and rusted metal rods, which authorities failed to address despite warnings.
How has the neglect affected Holguín's public spaces?
Neglect has led to the deterioration of public spaces, including thefts from monuments, misuse of pedestrian areas, and the degradation of historical sites like the old train station.
What measures are being suggested to address the issue?
Community members have suggested safeguarding endangered artworks and restoring them before reinstalling. Increasing civic pride and governmental accountability is also advocated.