The Old Age of Elpidio Valdés / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 24 October 2016 — Several generations of Cubans have grown up watching cartoons based on the adventures of Elpidio Valdés. A Mambí – Cuban freedom fighter – friendly and popular, the character has starred in many popular sayings and some jokes repeated ad nauseam. Willing to annihilate the Spaniards with a slash … Continue reading “The Old Age of Elpidio Valdés / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez”

Authority as Exemplified by Elpidio Valdés / 14ymedio, Jose Gabriel Barrenechea

14ymedio, José Gabriel Barrenechea, Havana, 18 July 2015 —  I remember it as if it were yesterday when my old man took me to see the first Elpidio Valdés feature film in 1974. Having just debuted in the city of Santa Clara, we had to jump through hoops to find a taxi willing to take … Continue reading “Authority as Exemplified by Elpidio Valdés / 14ymedio, Jose Gabriel Barrenechea”

High Prices, Breakdowns and Discontent, the Keynote of the New Jalisco Park in Havana

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 31 July 2023 — “There’s nothing private about this.” Distrust of the new Jalisco Park in Havana, 48 hours after it was reopened under new management, is widespread. Not surprisingly, the reopening has been marked by discontent and setbacks. The most recent one happened this Monday, when the establishment did … Continue reading “High Prices, Breakdowns and Discontent, the Keynote of the New Jalisco Park in Havana”

An Immense Line Outside Jalisco Park Marks its Reopening Day in Havana

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, July 29, 2023 — “We are going to spend hours here to get in,” grumbled a grandmother with two grandchildren who, before nine in the morning this Saturday, was in the long line to enter the Jalisco Park, in Havana’s El Vedado district. Finally, the recreational center – which went … Continue reading “An Immense Line Outside Jalisco Park Marks its Reopening Day in Havana”

Reopening of Havana’s Jalisco Park Postponed Without Explanation

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, July 26, 2023 — Showing sadness in the children and anger in the parents, the faces of the Havanans who approached Jalisco Park this Wednesday, at the corner of 23 and 18 in El Vedado, spoke for themselves when they saw it closed. The authorities had been announcing days with … Continue reading “Reopening of Havana’s Jalisco Park Postponed Without Explanation”

Entropy of Eliecer Jimenez at Brown University / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

THE COPY-PASTE OF REVOLUTIOPHRENIA Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo Before Facebook, I met Eliécer Jiménez only once, in an alternative cultural debate in Camagüey, three years ago. He was somewhat shy, but resolute in his urge to be creative in cinematographic terms. No money, no contacts, no political pedigree. A dreamer in a province that looked … Continue reading “Entropy of Eliecer Jimenez at Brown University / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

Who is Filling the University Classrooms? / Yoani Sanchez

Yoani Sánchez, Havana, 2 September 2014 — Born during the Special Period, they have grown up trapped in the dual currency system, and when they get their degrees Raul Castro will no longer be in power. They are the more than one hundred thousand young people just starting college throughout the country. Their brief biographies … Continue reading “Who is Filling the University Classrooms? / Yoani Sanchez”

A Che Not Printed on Money / Luis Felipe Rojas

I now see how an asthmatic who was too sick to travel became someone who could kill and command his own army of troops. But twenty years would have to pass before I would be able to write such a simple statement. When you are six Februaries old and they force you to bring your … Continue reading “A Che Not Printed on Money / Luis Felipe Rojas”

Remember That I Always Want / Regina Coyula

Image from eCured What Robertico Carcasses improvised during a demonstration at the Protestodome[1] last week, has been added to our folklore.  The accompanying refrain is now a sort of musical password that identifies the supporters of the musician and/or supporters of what he asked for.  I have only talked to one person who watched in … Continue reading “Remember That I Always Want / Regina Coyula”

A DAY OF JUAN CARLOS FLORES IN DIARIO DE CUBA… / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

Why is everyone so sad here? I promise to ask the poet, while at the Hanoi playground in an unnumbered area of Alamar: a once breathing tribute to the great defeat of Yankee imperialism in Asia, today bleak without benches but not without sweating drunks, shouting while they play chess or kiss mouth to toothless … Continue reading “A DAY OF JUAN CARLOS FLORES IN DIARIO DE CUBA… / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

AFTER THE VISIT OF THE POPE TO CUBA, WHAT? / IntraMuros

AFTER THE VISIT OF THE POPE TO CUBA, WHAT? “You are and must be the sovereigns of your own personal and national history.” (John Paul II, Cuba 1998) The two visits of the Popes of the Catholic Church, are milestones that show the step forward of Cuban civil society. Cuba has changed, not only and … Continue reading “AFTER THE VISIT OF THE POPE TO CUBA, WHAT? / IntraMuros”