Guardian of the culture
The Don Quixote of Old San Juan
Maura Curley
Ricardo Alegria was the Don Quixote of San Juan, who saved the Old City's crumbling seven blocks from destruction in the 1950s.
He convinced the bishop to spare a former convent, now the historic Hotel El Convento, from being bulldozed for a parking lot.
He led initiatives to rescue and restore several landmarks, including the 16th century Church at San Jose, and instilled in Puerto Ricans pride in their island identity.
Sitting in the cool of the director's office at the Center for Advanced Studies for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean in Old San Juan, I am reminded of the joys of journalism.
The drudgery of deadlines is overshadowed by the opportunity to interview Dr. Ricardo Alegria.
I realize I'm in the presence of greatness, not because of the extensive accomplishments of this man who holds a doctorate in anthropology from Harvard University and is a pioneer in the studies of the Taino culture and African heritage in Puerto Rico.
Nor is it that he has received numerous citations, including the highest honor from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and UNESCO, authored over 20 books about archeology, culture and folklore, and has a statue erected in his honor in Old San Juan.
It is because Alegria exudes the aura of a life well lived, a man comfortable with his decisions, who has stayed the course to realize the fruits of his vision - and his labor.
Calle Cristo, the street where El Convento Hotel is now located, was crumbling in the 1950's and a haven for prostitution. Some factions wanted to tear everything down and reconstruct. Alegria says they wanted Old San Juan to become a little New York City.
People accused him of not wanting progress.
The Institute of Culture, which he founded, was the driving force, which created tax incentives for citizens to restore rather than demolish, and establish preservation laws, which were later emulated in the states.
He directed the Institute for 18 years, before founding the Center for Advanced Studies for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
Alegria had a vision and communicated it effectively. The centuries old structures were preserved and restored. Culture began to thrive.
Despite his age Alegria is active, and engaging, He still acts as founding director for the Museum of the Americas in Old San Juan.
He is motivated to educate people, who don't know about history.
He says simply " If people know who they are, it builds self-confidence and it makes them happy."
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Maura Curley is publisher of virginvoices.com
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