Cultural and Historical Legacy Promotion of Saona Island Announced

Saona Island will benefit from a generous investment to be used in construction and infrastructure works thanks to a sustainable tourism development project from the Italian city of Savona and the Secretary of State for Tourism (SECTUR), according to deputy secretary for International Affairs, Luis Simó and Italian Ambassador Enrico Guicciardi.

The construction will include the Plaza Savona, the Archeological Museum of Saona, the Eastern Park, the Coliseum for Cultural Events, a baseball field, a community center, a Cyclone Shelter, an amphitheater, a lake and gardens. Remodeling of homes and building facades as well as food court and handcraft center is also in the plan.

In addition, experts from Savona will be consulting local crafts people in the development of ceramic crafts as well as taking charge of the Savona-themed restaurant L Angollo dei Papi. The Italians will also collaborate in establishing a social cooperative, Il Faggio, to help the children of Saona. On September 14 of each year, both cities – Savona and Saona – will celebrate a joint cultural and friendship event. The project will last for two years. A public and private committee will be set up to raise the necessary money to fund the ongoing project.

The Savona Museum will show pieces from the pre-Colombian Tainas Indians while in the Plaza statues of Savona-descendent and founder of the island in 1494, Michele da Cuneo, will be erected alongside Cotubanamá, traditional Indian Chief. A huge flag from the city of Savona will be hung in the plaza to symbolize the bilateral sisterhood of the two cities.

Simó was received by the Federico Berruti Syndicate’s Paolo Caviglia and delegate council member Pietro Li Calzi in Savona to look at and discuss the project. Architect Roberto Giannotti will be in charge of following up on the project.

View of Mano Juan

View of Mano Juan

Deputy Secretary of International Affairs, Luis Simó, and Italian Ambassador Enrico Guicciardi.