78 Pueblos y 1 Bandera (78 Towns and 1 Flag) is a powerful mural movement created by Puerto Rican artist Héctor Collazo Hernández. Driven by a desire to heal personal grief, Héctor set out to paint the Puerto Rican flag in every municipality of the island, transforming abandoned spaces into vibrant symbols of cultural pride and tourism. The story behind the project is one of tragedy turned into a massive island-wide movement of healing and community unity.

The inspiration for the project was born from a painful personal tragedy. Héctor Collazo Hernández suffered a devastating loss when his brother died by suicide. Struggling with grief, he decided to channel his pain into art. To honor his brother and reconnect with his homeland, Héctor began painting the Puerto Rican flag on abandoned buildings, bridges, and neglected walls across the island. Each flag is painted in a single day, often with the help of local community members, turning the creation into a shared event that fosters pride and unity.

Beyond just painting, Héctor's mission was to encourage locals and tourists to explore hidden gems across Puerto Rico, discover rivers, mountains, and communities rarely seen in tourist brochures, and boost local economies. The movement has grown far beyond Puerto Rico, becoming a symbol of identity and solidarity for Boricuas living stateside. Cleveland is home to one of Ohio's largest and most historic Puerto Rican communities. For generations, Puerto Rican families have contributed to the city's economic, cultural, educational, civic, and social fabric. Despite these contributions, there are few permanent public landmarks that visibly celebrate and honor Puerto Rican culture on a large scale. Inspired by the overwhelming response to Ohio's first 78 Pueblos y 1 Bandera mural in Lorain in 2025, we are excited to bring this project to Cleveland as its first Puerto Rican landmark.

Funds raised will cover artistic fees, travel, lodging, transportation, food, painting supplies, equipment, and all costs associated with a community festival. Through public engagement, partnerships, education, volunteerism, and collective action, we aim to create a space that serves not only as a work of art but as a source of pride, inspiration, and cultural preservation for generations to come. We invite you to help us bring this landmark to Cleveland. Your support will help create a lasting symbol of Puerto Rican pride, unity, and culture for generations to come.

Click here for more information on this event.