The Province of Artemisa celebrates its seventh anniversary in 2018. This is associated with constantly changing economic and social changes. However, a subject of marked importance is still a point of view and analysis for historians, representatives of various institutions and researchers: "Artemisa's identity". When we refer to identity we talk about those characteristics, data or information specific to a person or group, which differentiates them from others.
Artemisa is a young province, emerged after the distribution of territories that corresponded to the old province of Havana, however, forge identity and go in search of what makes us truly of this geography is a difficult purpose, but once achieved It is very interesting
To say Artemisa is to speak of Carlos Baliño in the municipality of Guanajay; of the Ariguanabo river in San Antonio de los Baños, of the coffee plantations in Candelaria, of the Casa de Villena in Alquizar. In the same way, the culture with Maria Teresa Vera, the International Film and Television School, the Patronal Feast of San Marcos in Bahia Honda or Enrique Jorrín and Polo Montañez.
The perfect fusion, which is born as a result of the historical relations between Pinar del Río and the capital, is also Artemisa. We can not separate it from its first origins and every day we find ourselves with people who still feel like "vuelbajeros" or ''habaneros''. That is the path that remains for the sake of building a new identity.
On this issue we must continue insisting. The educational and work centers, the cultural institutions, the governing bodies and the administration council are committed to the cause. Today it is necessary to know: why do we identify with the color red ?, why the orchids and the gardens ?, or simply, why is there blood of Artemisa shining on the flag?
We do not see identity as something alien to our everyday life. It is time to avoid old taboos and proudly receive the roots of this province, without forgetting what makes each of the eleven municipalities different. Remember that history, customs and traditions are not left on the pages of a book or on the legends, they travel through the present and are determined to create new paths. From Artemisa, its people ... and it is precisely its people who are responsible for cultivating and protecting what identifies us.
