Emilio Bacardi and the funeral procession that made history

AREQUIPA, Peru – It was in 1922 that the people of the Island said goodbye to the writer Emilio Bacardi. Especially in Santiago de Cuba, the entire town took to the streets to accompany the funeral procession on the way to the Santa Ifigenia cemetery.

Thousands of people participated and to date it remains one of the largest funerals seen in the Santiago territory. Among a sea of ​​flowers and three rifle shots echoing in the air, the last goodbye was said to the prominent Cuban.

This August 28 will mark 102 years since the death of Emilio Bacardí Moreau, Cuban patriot, politician, intellectual and cultural promoter.

After the Ten Years’ War began, he joined the independence movement and for this reason in 1876 he was imprisoned in Chafarinas; and in 1879 he was deported. Once the war was over, he returned to the Island, but was deported again for being involved in the preparations for the Little War.

When the uprisings that began the war of 1895 occurred simultaneously, Emilio Bacardí Moreau was imprisoned again and deported to Ceuta, Spain. At the end of the war of independence he returned to Santiago de Cuba, where he held the position of mayor, for which he was also elected after the proclamation of the Republic.

As mayor he carried out fruitful work in favor of culture, in which the creation of the museum that bears his name stands out and which houses belongings of distinguished independence patriots, as well as objects corresponding to several dynasties of pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

In addition to this museum, Bacardi created the municipal library, one of the first in Cuba, the Academy of Fine Arts and carried out several projects of great social significance.

Retired from politics, Bacardi dedicated himself to literary creation. Among his most notable works are the Chronicles of Santiago de Cuba; the chronicles of his travels through Egypt and Palestine; and the novels Vthe cross y Mrs. Giomar.

His name is also directly related to the Bacardi rum distillery, a well-sold brand worldwide, since it was founded in Santiago de Cuba by his father in 1862.

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