Since October 23, 1881, the opening date of the Círculo de Artesanos society, the name of the lawyer Juan Cantalapiedra was forever inscribed in the ariguanabenses' memory. On that memorable occasion, the poetic composition "Al Círculo de Artesanos" written by this lawyer was read.
The poem "Al Círculo de Artesanos" is the most popular work of Juan Cantalapiedra. He came from the province of Camagüey, where he practiced law, enjoying a comfortable economic and social position. Respected and loved by all, the death of his daughter plunged him into the deepest sadness, losing all attachment to life.
He arrived in San Antonio de los Baños, where he founded a school called Colegio La Luz. There, he formed a generation that gave faith of the knowledge acquired from the teacher. On several occasions, he rejected tempting charges offered to him. He preferred to continue offering culture to his disciples. Rhyming verses, for him, was a way to vent his sadness.
The small figure of Juan Cantalapiedra, invariably covered by a long black coat, could be seen passing through the streets of Villa del Ariguanabo alone, distributing advice and knowledge.
Only a tenuous memory remains of his prose, but his immortal stanzas continue to burn like a luminous torch that shouts to the generations:
"Go up, go up the cliff path,
those who mourn dead hopes;
Do not faint, it's still time
to shake the dream, it is daytime,
and the great workshop of the world opens its doors ".
Juan Cantalapiedra