Domingo Cruz (Cocolía) (statue) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Domingo Cruz (Cocolía) |
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Artist | Unknown |
Year | 1926 |
Type | Marble |
Movement | Beaux Arts |
Condition | Pristine |
Location | Plaza Degetau Ponce, Puerto Rico |
18°00′41.44″N 66°36′49.86″W / 18.0115111°N 66.6138500°W | |
Owner | Municipality of Ponce, PR |
The Domingo Cruz (Cocolía) statue honors a famous Puerto Rican musician and band director named Domingo Cruz (Cocolía). You can find this beautiful marble statue in Plaza Degetau in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It stands on a matching marble base.
Who Was Domingo Cruz?
Domingo Cruz (born July 3, 1864 – died October 20, 1934) was also known by his nickname, "Cocolía". He was an important musician from Puerto Rico in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He was the director of the Ponce Firefighters' Band, which is now called the Ponce Municipal Band.
Cocolía played the saxhorn in an orchestra called "La Lira Ponceña." This orchestra later became known as the Ponce Symphony Orchestra. He played under the direction of the well-known composer Juan Morel Campos. Cocolía was famous for his lively, danceable music. He also taught music to others.
After Juan Morel Campos passed away, Domingo Cruz took over as the director of the Firefighters' Band. He led the Banda Municipal de Ponce from 1896 until 1916.
Where Can You Find the Statue?
For many years, the statue of Domingo Cruz was missing. It was finally found when a new government took over. Today, it stands very close to where Cocolía and the Banda Municipal de Ponce used to perform their music. This spot is at the southern edge of Parque de Bombas.
For a long time, Cocolía's statue was in front of the Instituto de Música Juan Morel Campos. This music institute is in the building that used to be the downtown Ponce fire station, right next to Teatro La Perla. Around 2010, the statue was moved. As of 2017, it is located in Plaza Degetau.