All towns have their iconic characters. They are seen everywhere: walking the streets in silence, chatting with neighbors or laughing in the middle of the crowd. Let us remember José María López Lledín, the Caballero de París from Havana, or Emilio Benavides Puentes, the Red Devil from Santiago de Cuba.
His grace, inspired by the popular and the anecdotes that marked each life, are happily built to allow them the passage to immortality. This should happen with those who still magnify culture in our municipalities, such as Juana Amalia Gómez Canales, from Guanajay, whom we met one afternoon out there, as best we can agree.
“I adore my people, who doesn’t? Waking up and walking its streets fills me with happiness. I think that it is something intrinsic, and to which I will not give up until death. But I can’t imagine her for a second, “the grim reaper” to continue around… I cling to life”, says Amalia between smiles.
Many will wonder what this revelry and serious woman does. She is seen walking with her arms crossed, almost always wearing dresses and a bag that she guards tightly. In that transit of her there is no lack of greetings from her, and the admiration of those who have her very close to her.
“58 years ago I graduated as a primary and secondary teacher. Take accounts! It was an emergency decision that I made because the school was in the Sierra Maestra and I didn’t even question it. Later I returned and worked in Mariel, Artemisa and Guanajay.
“From my profession I learned to listen to people, but to do it carefully regardless of whether it is good or bad. The valuable thing lies in looking them in the eye, and putting an arm on their shoulder when life changes for whatever reason. That’s how my mother, Caridad Canales, and my grandmother, may they rest in peace! (she crosses herself). Tremendous women.
“People love me, and in all this time I have learned to reciprocate. I am currently the delegate of my constituency, secretary of the zone nucleus of the Communist Party of Cuba and also an activist of the Federation of Cuban Women. If you look closely I can hardly stop, although I always take the “chance” to attend to my old aunt who requires my care.
For Amalia, a delegate is defined by his honesty. It doesn’t matter if the approach hardly has a solution: “the valuable thing is to clearly show him that you are looking for an answer, even if sometimes you can’t find it. She communicates to her within a period of time, and if that is not the way, then we assume a plan B and we see how to solve it together if it is within our reach, ”she assured.
“My house still receives children and young people interested in a topic or with doubts. It will always have the doors open until life allows me. I also have a community project to which I link pioneers to learn about the valuable history of Guanajay. They love it.
“Yet I am everywhere. I want to know everything (smiles). I go to the funeral home every day because I find out who will no longer be with us. I don’t like being taken by surprise, especially after the funeral. If there is a bembé there, I walk with them in my hallway -with respect-, or at a church mass. I belong to everyone because the most important thing is to serve; and that beats deep inside my being. It is that that is Amalia, there is no other “
It will be up to history to tell the years of a singular woman, bearer of the greatest wealth in the world: the affection of the people. She can be seen crossing main streets, stopping in front of a coffin, enjoying sips of coffee even with strangers, in important meetings talking about passions, and rolling on the congas that bring so much joy to the city.
Amalia is a flower for her simplicity, and steel for being unstoppable in the face of the blows of existence. From today she wants to be remembered, and it is logical, but on the condition that, in her name, behind her, “La cayuca” is not missing. That is the distinction of her family, the reason to continue doing.