Celia Cruz - Keeping the Flame Burning for a Beloved Queen of Salsa - New York Times - 26/10/09

Photo: David Gonzalez/The New York Times - Celia Cruz’s mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx looks downright homey. Colorful plants flank a modest walkway, and clear side windows let visitors peer inside, where family photos, a rosary and a Cuban flag rest atop the singer’s tomb, along with a framed magazine clipping about “The 10 Unbelievable Wigs of Celia Cruz.” While titans of industry and government spend eternity hidden behind thick granite walls, there’s a reason her final resting place is so inviting. The Queen of Salsa is still holding court. “It was specifically designed so the fans can look in,” said Susan Olsen, the historian for the cemetery. “Someone comes in on a regular basis, cleans it out and changes the photos so there’s always something for the fans to see. It was totally thought out.” Ms. Cruz, who died in 2003, is entombed there along with her husband, Pedro Knight, who died in 2007. Apart from the pictures of the couple, there is also a portrait of Ms. Cruz in a flowing gown at the Grammy Awards, as well as a portrait of her probably dating back to her days as a young singer with La Sonora Matancera. The rear wall is decorated with a stained-glass window depicting Cuba’s patroness, La Caridad del Cobre. Despite their claim to musical majesty — and the imposing grandeur of other tombs — the couple’s mausoleum is not only modest, but designed to be considerate of others. It was set near an intersection, with a small path leading to the front door. “It was positioned so it would not intrude on other people’s lots or ruin the grass,” Ms. Olsen said. “People might say it was arrogant to expect so many visitors, but it was anything but arrogant. We get people who come from all over the world who come to see her.” [Open link for full story and related stories.]