English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Rebeca Monzo, 23 October 2019 — The loss of Cuba’s gastronomic legacy began in 1959 when private companies, factories and businesses began to disappear after the so-called “triumph of the Revolution,” appropriated entirely by the totalitarian regime. Back when Cuba had six million inhabitants, there were also six million head cattle along with many sheep, … Continue reading “A Lost Gastronomic Legacy / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, 28 January 2019 — Much is said via the media of the celebration in 2019 of the 500th anniversary of the city of San Cristobal of Havana, but when you go out to the street you see that the destruction of this country, above all the capital, began in the ’60s, as a … Continue reading “500th Anniversary of the City "Nightmare" / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, 10 December 2018 — In our country, via the media, the “marvels” of the totalitarian regime are used as propaganda, praising healthcare, which is in total decline, and education, which is the same, as the “banners of socialism.” However, the most important thing that must be respected, human rights, is under the total … Continue reading “World Human Rights Day / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, 30 September 2018 — I was preparing for my golden years with the expectation that they would be enriching, that my social life that would be an active one. I collected books and music which I would share with friends. I certainly did not expect to face a very difficult financial situation. My expectations … Continue reading “Our Golden Years / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, 2 September 2018– Some years ago a well-mannered gentleman appeared in our neighborhood selling the most delicious baked meringues. He told us he was living, not in the best of conditions, in a distant suburb on the outskirts of Havana. On almost on a daily basis he walked the streets of Nuevo Vedado, … Continue reading “Manuel, the Distinguished Meringue Maker / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, Havana, 4 July 2018 — My sincerest congratulations this 242nd anniversary of the independence of the United States of North America, to a people who exemplify democracy and progress. Wishing with all my heart that relations between Cuba and the United Statest will advance and be consolidated. Translated by: Alicia Barraqué Ellison
Rebeca Monzo, 29 May 2018 — An older woman, whose son opened a bank account and got an ATM card to make her life easier, went to the Water and Soap store on La Rambla in Havana’s Vedado area to buy some cleaning supplies. When she handed the card to the cashier, she was informed that … Continue reading “A Thwarted Robbery / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, 24 May 2018 — How is it possible that international organizations rank our planet Cuba near the top when it comes to public health services? There are only a very small number of hospitals that the government can point to as examples of quality health care: Camilo Cienfuegos Clinic in Vedado; Cira García … Continue reading “In the Peak of Health / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, Havana, 13 March 2018 — She is a beautiful woman, petite, pleasant, with a great sense of humor and very well-educated, intelligent, a Master’s degree in science with a lot of achievements and scientific honors accumulated over her long career. She lives in the heart of Havana’s Vedado neighborhood, in a building from … Continue reading “The Several Faces of Eva (Based on a True Story) / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, 7 January 2018 — First of all, to be properly treated in any hospital, you have to have a friend who is a doctor or a friend who is very close to the doctor you are going to see, in addition to bringing a gift — something already established — to be able … Continue reading “Public Health in Cuba / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, 21 October 2017 — The mass media in our country boast a lot about Cuban culture. And it’s that which is our biggest weakness right now. Starting on January 1st, 1959, when they started to prioritise politics and pass new decrees and laws, which steadily grew more distant from our famous 1940 Constitution, … Continue reading “Where is Cuban Culture? / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, 25 August 2017 — Once again the Cuban government wants to “tighten the screws” on initiative and private business. It has suspended issuing “until further notice” all self-employment licenses, which run the gamut from the smallest, most humble pushcarts to family-run restaurants and homeowners who rent out rooms to tourists. Word has it … Continue reading “Centralism Again? / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, 4 July 2017 — Happy Anniversary to the North American Government and People. Translated By: Alicia Barraqué Ellison
A neighborhood dressed in blue. At the time of the “accident” in 1959, Nuevo Vedado was the latest Havana neighborhood to be developed. Its residents included professionals and famous artists from radio and television. It was an elegant neighborhood, with any number of homes — primarily one or two-story single-family residences — noted for their … Continue reading “A Neighborhood Dressed in Blue / Rebeca Monzo”
Rebeca Monzo, 21 February 2017 — New bureaucratic regulations governing the routes of shared fixed-route taxis have led to the first tangible labor strike by drivers. Of course, strikes have gone on for many years in our country due to the poverty-level wages paid to workers in the bureaucratic and service sectors. As the old saying … Continue reading “The First Tangible Labor Strike / Rebeca Monzo”
