Adalberto Álvarez Will Have His Wax Figure in Bayamo Museum

September 13, 2023

It is hoped that the piece can be unveiled next October 20, Cuban Culture Day, as part of the Fiesta de la Cubanía.

Cuban musician Adalberto Álvarez will have his own figure in the Bayamo Wax Museum.

In statements to the press, Ismary López Comas, director of the institution, the only one of its kind in the country, said that the piece, life-size like others that make up the museum's collection, could be unveiled next October 20, Cuban Culture Day, during the Fiesta de la Cubanía.

In charge of creating the wax sculpture of the Knight of Son, who died in 2021 from coronavirus, are Rafael Barrios Milán and his father, Rafael Barrios Madrigal.

At the family's request, the figure of Adalberto Álvarez that they will model will recreate the singer's appearance when he was approximately 60 years old, according to what Barrios Milán told Granma.

"They will complete the work with clothing, footwear and other objects belonging to the artist, among which should be the güiro (musical instrument) that distinguished him in each of his performances," the note published in the official media states.

Among the sculptures on display at the Bayamo Wax Museum, inaugurated in 2017, are pieces dedicated to Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, José Martí, Nicolás Guillén, Ernest Hemingway, Benny Moré, Rita Montaner, Bola de Nieve, Sindo Garay, Carlos Puebla, Polo Montañez, El Indio Naborí, Juan Formell, El Guayabero, Miguel Matamoros, Compay Segundo, Carilda Oliver Labra, Gabriel García Márquez, among others.

On more than one occasion, the museum, which is currently located in a larger venue than the one that originally housed it, has been subject to criticism and ridicule for the creations it has included in its permanent collection.

In December 2017, following an avalanche of criticism over the piece dedicated to Sara González, including criticism from her own widower Diana Balboa who referred to the "horror" they had made and expressed her disagreement "from the beginning," the institution decided to remove the work.

In 2021, when the wax sculpture in honor of Carilda Oliver was unveiled, social networks echoed widespread rejection due to its little resemblance to the poet, whom, as many denounced on that occasion, they did not even respect the color of her eyes.

With the incorporation of the sculpture of composer, singer and orchestra director Adalberto Álvarez, the Bayamo museum will reach 27 pieces.