Mexicans Remember Jose Marti and Jose Maria Heredia

Cuban National Hero, Jose Marti, and poet, Jose Maria Heredia, two exponents of Caribbean literature in 19th century, remain a force today in Mexico through their life and work. Marti has been remembered here 121 years after his death in combat, on May 19, 1895, with many programs during Cuba Week in Mexico.

Cuba Week, held from May 17th to 19th, includes lectures, book launches and film screenings. The event is organized by the National Institute of Anthropology and History and the island’s embassy in Mexico.

Marti's call for independence and continental integration (1853-1895) is still in force today, although he is a little-known author for new generations, Historian, Maria Eugenia del Valle, said.

Del Valle, assistant director of Contemporary History at the Historical Studies department, stated that Jose Maria Heredia, considered the first poet of romanticism in Latin America, was also remembered. Heredia, who died of tuberculosis at the age of 35, arrived in Mexico in 1825.

He was born in Santiago de Cuba on December 31, 1803, and died in Toluca, state of Mexico, on May 21, 1839, although other texts state Mexico City as the place of his death.

He is considered one of the best Cuban bards and received the title of 'Cantor del Niagara', due to his ode of that name. He is best known for his poem 'Himno al Desterrado'. Marti arrived in Veracruz, Mexico, on February 8, 1875, where he was reunited with his family.

He started a close friendship with Manuel Mercado and met Carmen Zayas Bazan. Carmen Zayas Bazan was a woman from Camagüey, Cuba, who later married Marti in the Mexican capital.

'Ismaelillo', 'The Golden Age' and 'Simple Verses' are among Marti’s best known works. Cuba Week began on Tuesday, May 17, with a lecture 'Un Vientre de Compacto Coral' by the cultural counselor at Cuba's embassy, Fidel Antonio Orta.