In the city of Matanzas, the image of Pelusín del Monte– a puppet–is part of the collective memory. At the venue of Papalote theater company, Rene Fernandez –who participated in the workshops given by siblings Carucha and Pepe Camejo during the 60’s– treasures the original puppet, conceived out of a literary character by writer Dora Alonso.
For two years ago now, a sculpture of the puppet welcomes those who participate in night activities staged in a beautiful orchard –created by designer Zenén Calero and known as Pelusin’s garden–, one of the most attractive spaces of the Cultural Center Pepe Camejo, the venue of Las Estaciones Theater Company in Matanzas province.
As an initiative by Zenén Calero and Rubén Darío Salazar –director of Las Estacionesand apprentice of René Fernández- a group of craftsmen from the province, for the first time, recreated the image of Pelusín del Monte in leather designs and other useful products.
A variety of products with the image of this little puppet boy are commercialized around these days, in the lobby of the Gener y del Monte Library, through the Cuban Fund of Cultural Assets (FCBC by its acronym in Spanish)
The Palma group, led by Luís Octavio Hernández, who chaired the branch of the Cuban Association of Craftsmen and Artists (ACAA by its acronym in Spanish) in the province for 11 years, created one of the most popular lines of products in this edition of the International Puppets Workshop (TITIM by its acronym in Spanish), among the audience and the participants in the event.
“As a result of a request by Zenen and Ruben to create a group of souvenirs with Pelusin’s image for TITIM and the meeting of the Council of the International Association of Puppets (UNIMA by its acronym in Spanish), we redesigned some of the productions we traditionally commercialize through FCBC in Varadero and added Pelusin’s logo”, explained Hernandez.
The Palma group was given this name because of the symbolism, strength, rectitude and Cuban identity of royal palms. It was founded on June 6, 1995, without legal recognition. In this regard his director commented:
“Barely a few months ago, with the new legislations for the artistic sector, we have been able to officially outsource a group of people that have been working with me for years. Now, we have become an artistic creation staff of the Ministry of Culture. We maintain the link with this entity through FCBC.
We have a broad line of products. In the workshop we produce more than a hundred different products: mainly leather products, purses, wallets, bags, carpets, masks, bookmarks, key rings, cigarette cases. We have been working with FCBC and we are pleased with the results”.
The National Council of Stage Arts (CNAE by its acronym in Spanish) has joined this initiative by commercializing T-shirts and cloth bags. Besides, other craftsmen at the Parque de la Libertad Fair have created animate figures decorated in keeping with the national puppet.
The wisest thing would be to maintain the commercialization of all these products with Pelusin’s logo after the closing of the event taking into consideration the broad acceptance they have had due to their originality and low prices. These are times for changing economic patterns. This is also the opinion of the director of the Palma group.
“It all depends on the interest of commercializing companies of the Ministry of Culture or Artex S.A. We are willing to sign agreements with FCBC, the gallery El Retablo –located in the Cultural Center Pepe Camejo– or with any other gallery interested in our productions.
Artists can only commercialize their work in tourist resorts and the city has an incredible potential. Our satisfaction in spreading the authentic Cuban identity will be rather spiritual than economic. I believe these kinds of experiences should be transferred to the daily life in the cities.”
“It is really important to have spaces for selling souvenirs with the image of the city. Its heritage is so big and its culture is so rich that they could be better used in souvenirs proposals for foreign or national visitors who would like to take a memory of their stay in the province”, stated Luis Octavio.
Images: Mery Delgado
