Wednesday, 18 August 2010 21:47
Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring
I don't think there are any Havanans out there who remember the first half of the last century and didn't also know of the city's own Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring, affectionately known as Emilito. Even those people who were far from the capital knew about the famous Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring, since he was often photographed and discussed in the popular press, while his writings on history, politics, culture and social issues were always widely covered and discussed.
He was born in Havana on August 23rd, 1889, and at age 28 he received a degree in Civil Law, though he had been publishing as a journalist since the age of 16. In 1935, he was designated historian of the City of Havana, which meant leading the Archive and Museum of the City, and which hew fulfilled until his death in 1964. In 1936, upon his request, the Office of Historian of the City was created, and he was in charge of the city's Notebooks of History, the Records of the City, and of Cuban and American History. In 1940, he founded the Cuban Society of Historical and International Studies, and he promoted the National Board of Archeology and Ethnology, plus the Commission of Historical Monuments.
Emilio Roig is remembered for his intellectual probity, his impeccable manners, generosity, and the dedication he brought to the various tasks related to national history that he assumed. He often found ways of involving artists and intellectuals in his projects.
Both visitors to the city and those who visit should pause to remember this man, since it is thanks to his studies and research that we can know so much about Havana and the city's history. He always endeavored to save the best monuments of his beloved hometown, Havana.
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