MONUMENTO A LA FAMILIA PUERTORRIQUEÑA
Join us at the Dedication of the Monument to the Puerto Rican Family
Sculptor: José Buscaglia
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 10:00 AM
LEARNING CORRIDOR
(Corner of Vernon & Washington Streets)
RSVP by: Friday, September 18, 2009
by calling (860) 493-1618
or email: iquiros @sinainc.org
Limited parking at Trinity & Learning Corridor
Be part of history in the making....unveiling of the only monument in the world dedicated to
LA FAMILIA PUERTORRIQUEÑA
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PUERTORRICAN FAMILY MONUMENT
Four heroic-size figures dominate the central area of the composition. Husband and wife stand together and, in front of them their daughter and son, which jointly carry the Lamb of God which constitutes both the heraldic and official symbol of Puerto Rico. The general theme of the various areas surrounding the family group represent the historical and psychological drama of migration.
The upper left hand corner depicts a typical town in Puerto Rico, thus setting the point of departure. The path that leads away from the town, shows the migrant leaving on a mare. This is in direct reference a segment of the best known poem by our poet laureate Luis Lloréns Torres” which expresses the anguish of departure – “El Valle de Collores”.
Adiós, malezas y flores
de las barrancas del río,
y mis noches del bohío,
y aquella apacible calma,
y los viejos de mi alma,
y los hermanitos míos.
Qué pena la que sentía
cuando hacia atrás yo miraba,
y una casa se alejaba,
y esa casa era la mía.
From the lower left to the mid-central area, a long line of migrants are represented as they go up a movable staircase to board the plane that will bring them to the mainland. They carry with them various symbols of their cultural heritage.
In the lower triangular area below the staircase, an allegorical representation evokes the dreams and aspirations of the migrants. This is signified by a female figure, day dreaming in the plantain grove – “el sueño en el platanal”. In front, two girls jump rope and, in the left corner, a motif of tropical fruits completes the symbolism.
The lower right triangular area provides the psychological counterpoint to its equivalent area on the left side. The main figure shows a mother with two children struggling in a poorly lit basement. The corner motif, which on the left side is an array of tropical fruits, has turned into an entanglement of thorns.
From the lower right to the mid central area, a progression of people struggle to help each other rise to higher grounds. The boarding staircase is replaced here by brick steps suggestive of tenant housing. The last top figures complete the process and point to the city of Hartford in the upper right hand corner of the relief.
As on the left side, the central right area carries a poetic inscription which completes the narrative by telling the story of the migrant’s efforts and their final triumph in his new homeland.
Vencida la pesadilla
del prejuicio y del destierro,
forjé del sueño
de la patria ausente,
nuevos senderos …..
de amor y de esperanza.
Cúan largo fue el caminar,
y que laborioso el trasiego,
persiguiendo el reencuentro
de mi cuerpo con alma.
