Mural In [East] Harlem Honors Poet

Rebecca Spitz

NY 1 News, October 27, 2006

More than half a century after her death, East Harlem residents gathered Friday to honor a neighborhood heroine with a permanent memorial. NY1’s Rebecca Spitz filed the following report.

Dozens turned out on East 106th Street Friday to witness the unveiling of a giant mosaic commemorating a local icon, Julia de Burgos.

Burgos was born in Puerto Rico in 1914 and by her death in 1953 had earned a reputation as one of that country's foremost poets. She was posthumously praised for her writing, especially her poetry which was sometimes revolutionary. De Burgos was also recognized for her devotion to social causes, honors her sister said are deserved.

"This is great,” said Iris Consuelo Burgos. “It's a great honor; it's like she's alive, like she's come."

With the support of Hope Community, a neighborhood development corporation, artist Manny Vega created the mosaic mural in just three months, relying heavily on community input:

"I always work with a planned mockup that means the design is already laid out,” said Vega. “But here, for the first time I didn't. I let the mural create itself."

As he worked on the mural, the artist was hoping the finished product would both teach and inspire, and judging from the community's reaction, that is exactly what it is doing."

"That's good for the community,” said Richard Encarnacion, an East Harlem Resident. “It looks real beautiful; it makes the community alive."

And others who stopped to look at the mural reflected on Julia de Burgos' influence not only as a poet, but also as a woman, a message that transcends generations.

"That we can be strong, that we are brilliant, that we have something to offer,” said Gloria Quinones, another area resident of Burgos’ message. “And she has left us our legacy, her legacy, so that we can find ourselves."

And there will soon be another public recognition for Julia de Burgos as East 106th Street will be renamed in her honor and when it is, the community promises another celebration for this neighborhood icon.