Restoring the neon signage in Havana to its former glory is doing far more than illuminating the streets
For the love of Neon!
Running late to a night out with friends, I found myself frantically toggling between trying to see my GPS and the elusive numbers on the front of the buildings, when a sudden glimmer caught my eye. A warm familiar glow of red orange light bearing the name I sought was emanating in the distance, instantly settling my concern. I never stopped to consider neon much, but there's something about its inviting allure that harks back to a simpler, dare I say even more romantic era. When I discovered that Project Por Amor took tours to Havana, Cuba specifically aimed at neon exploration and restoration, I balked “You mean there’s enough interest in neon to warrant entire trips? Who are these people?” I was about to discover a remarkable group of individuals.
Watch CNN 2 minute report on our Neon Restoration work in Havana.
One such luminary is Cuban born Adolfo “Al" Nodal. Al is a Project Por Amor partner and a great aficionado of neon. He has been a producer of Cuban artists in the USA and American artists in Cuba for over thirty years and has been in the Cuba travel business for over 20 years. He co-founded Havana Light Neon + Signs, a historic preservation organization in Cuba to relight Havana's vintage neon signs, was General Manager of the City of L.A.'s Department of Cultural Affairs for 12 years, and President of the L.A. Cultural Affairs Commission for three years. He has also served as Trustee of LA City Retirement Commission and the President of the Sister Cities of Los Angeles Association. Al published Memoria: Cuban Art of the Twentieth Century, a definitive reference book of Cuban art of the period. He was the co-founder and producer of the Presencia Cuban cultural Festival in Echo Park, L.A., for over twenty years. Besides all this, he is a committed neon sign preservationist having restored over a hundred historic signs in the City of Los Angeles and dozens in Havana.
Al was seven when his family left Cuba and several decades would pass before he would finally be able to revisit his homeland. Though treading Cuban soil again was largely unfamiliar, he was met with a deep sense of connection to his roots and at the same time a longing to contribute to the revitalization of this place he loved. As a leading expert in Cultural Tourism, he started bringing productions and art tours to Cuba with Project Por Amor forging connections between his American community and the vibrant culture of Cuba. The heart of the neon-focused tours lies in fostering person-to-person relationships between two nations, bridging cultural divides through shared appreciation for art and humanity. Al's passion for restoring the neon signage in Havana to its former glory is doing far more than illuminating the streets. Cuba has a highly educated population and abounds in artistic talent so the contrast of buildings in disrepair can be startling. As those piercing colored lights turn back on across the city, after being burnt out for 65 years, a pride is likewise being sparked in their midst that seems to say "Come and see. This is Cuba." The restoration projects are on-going and open to the curious traveler in search of global connectivity.
