The Beautiful Union Social Club

La Bella Unión (The Beautiful Union Building)

Prestigious institution from Güines founded at the end of the XIX Century. Two instruction and recreation organizations, grouping black Güineros, existed in the Villa; one was named La Paz (The Peace) and the other La Bella Unión Güinera (The Beautiful Union from Güines) representing dissident groups. The former wanted to gather only the parents; the latter excluded only those of low morals, without distinguishing between blacks or mulattoes.

Cuban patriot Don Juan Gualberto Gómez Ferrer mediated in this dispute in a visit he made to Güines on August 24, 1879. He talked about the special laws for the creation of these institutions and the promises of permanent laws. He explained the significance of being united, condemning differences and discriminations. This mediation was unsuccessful and the two organizations kept functioning in Güines, until the first one disappeared with the inauguration of the Republic, the second remaining in force within Güines society, taking the simple name of La Bella Unión (The Beautiful Union).

It purchased its own building on #171 Gras Street (formerly Cuatro Palmas or Four Palms Street) that had spacious salons for balls and cultural activities, rooms for reading and recreation, conference room for meetings of the Board of Directors, a well stocked bar, basket-ball court and other sports and a beautiful main patio, all cemented, having benches and gardens around a majestic kapok tree (ceiba, in Spanish).

We cannot fail to mention that the growth and development had by this Güinero organization was due in part to the tenacity, intelligence and labor of its Board of Directors, especially those where the unforgettable Güinero Pedro Rafael Rojas Rodríguez was President, whose bust was erected in one of the society’s interior patios, as homage and recognition by its members, to this tireless and hard working President.

During the Republican era, this prestigious institution stood out for its activities, offering civic, patriotic and cultural events in its halls. Of notorious beauty and importance were the cultural evenings held every December 7, commemorating the death of Lieutenant General Antonio Maceo Grajales, a National Day of Mourning in Cuba, parading through its rostrum the best and more eloquent Cuba’s speakers at that time.

The balls sponsored by The Beautiful Union, livened up by the best Cuban orchestras of its time were famous in Güines and neighborly towns. One of the most significant and important was the annual Ball of Saint Bárbara, Patron Saint of the Artillerymen on December 4.

Another peerless President who gave great impulse and growth to the institution was the dear Güinero Luis Miralles Valdés.

The salons, gardens and building of the institution were kept in immaculate condition due to the care and work of Dionisio Martínez (aka.  Cosa) and his wife Luisa Alejo de Martínez, that were the caretakers of this beautiful society for many years. Dionisio, besides his work as a caretaker, was a hard working and entrepreneurial man being the official driver of the school bus of Our Lady of Charity School, having also a private rental car business and if this was not enough, he was a talented musician and formed with friends and relatives a well known typical orchestra named Estrellas Nacientes (Rising Stars) that played in many balls and dancing matinees in The Beautiful Union and other guinero institutions.

As a curious historical note, Luisa Alejo de Martínez, a kind woman with a great Christian spirit of help and charity, raised in her home, among others, a nephew named Federico Arístides Soto Alejo (Tata Güines) considered as the best Cuban percussionist of all times, who performed for many seasons in New York and other important American cities and who we understand presently lives in Güines.

With the arrival of the Communist system, The Beautiful Union Social Club was confiscated from its members and converted into a sports center, wiping away a whole period of culture and progress that this institution offered to the Villa of Güines, during its many years of existence.

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