María del Carmen Portuondo: Guardian of Memory in Guáimaro

Feb, 2026.- María del Carmen Portuondo, a graduate in Literature from the University of Las Villas, solidified her training as a museologist at the Municipal Museum Casa de la Constitución in Guáimaro. From a young age, she combined her two passions, philology and local history, to research the cultural richness of her town. From these studies emerged monographs on the Conga La Victoria, the Livestock Fairs, and rodeo as a rural practice, works that contributed to preserving part of the collective memory.

One of her most significant contributions has been the research, conservation, and dissemination of Guáimaro’s material heritage. Thanks to this, it has been possible to update the museum’s museographic script and ensure the protection of its collections.

In collaboration with Manuel Peña, she compiled a historical-cultural index of great usefulness for teaching local history within the educational system and various cultural institutions in the area. She also delved into topics such as the Delegation of Veterans of the War of Independence and the essential architectural elements of the city and countryside of Guáimaro.

In addition to her work as a museologist and researcher, she has had an extensive career as a university professor. She is now retired, but her legacy as a historian continues to be recognized and valued.