English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
A few days ago a lady who has a seat on the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) knocked on my door. I thought it was a mistake or forgetfulness that brought her to our door, as we haven’t been members of the CDR for nearly a decade. But the thin woman was … Continue reading “Cachita — The Virgin of Charity of Cobre — Returns to Cuban Hearts and Homes / Yoani Sanchez”
14ymedio, Yoani Sánchez, Havana, 26 October 2023 — Cachita, the sea is beautiful, and the wind arrives somewhat autumnal this October in Havana. Dressed in yellow, the doll that represents the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, patron saint of Cuba, remained this Thursday on the marble of a bench in the Parque de La Fraternidad, … Continue reading “Cachita, the Sea Is Beautiful, and the Wind…”
14ymedio, Natalia López Moya, Havana | 8 September 2023 — With more needs but equal enthusiasm, Havana residents gathered this Friday at the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre Church on the corner of Manrique and Salud, in Centro Habana. Inflation and mass exodus have marked the day dedicated to Cachita*, the Patroness Saint of … Continue reading “‘Cachita’ Goes for a Walk Through Havana Under the Watchful Eye of the Political Police”
14ymedio, Madrid, 2 May 2023 — The sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity of Copper [“Cachita”], in Santiago de Cuba, with the superimposed effigy of a Cuban santera, is the striking image of one of the promotional posters of the 41st edition of the International Tourism Fair of the Island (FitCuba), inaugurated on May 1st. … Continue reading “The Cuban Government Entrusts Itself to ‘Cachita’ and the Santeros To Improve Tourism Data”
14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 8 September 2021 — Like every September 8, the streets of Cuba are dressed in yellow fabrics and sunflowers to celebrate the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre. This year, however, the Patroness of the Island is not accompanied by her people. Facing the covid-19 pandemic, which offers the country no truce, and … Continue reading “Cubans Pay Tribute to Patron Saint the Virgin of Charity del Cobre From Their Homes and Under Surveillance”
14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 9 September 2017 — While the winds were pummeling the eastern and central parts of the island, thousands of faithful devotees gathered this Friday in Havana to participate in the procession for the Virgin of the Charity of Cobre, Cuba’s Patron Saint, which is celebrated every 8th September. To the traditional requests … Continue reading “Cubans Ask Cachita To “Take Pity” On The Island”
14ymedio, Juan Carlos Fernandez, Pinar del Rio, 10 September 2015 — On Tuesday, the Virgin of Charity – Cachita, as we call her – again traveled the streets of the city of Pinar del Río. The procession was led by Bishop Jorge Enrique Serpa and the parish priests of the city. With the support of the Provincial … Continue reading “Cachita, Francis and Pinar del Rio / 14ymedio, Juan Carlos Fernandez”
14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 4 May 2015 – He is Argentine and she Cuban. Separating them are the thousands of miles between the Vatican and the Sanctuary of Cobre. This coming September they will be very close, when Pope Francis I visits this island where the Virgin of Charity is adored as the patron saint … Continue reading “‘Cachita’ and ‘Paquito’ / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez”
Poor little doll made of tinsel and wood, so battered across the long and narrow stretch of thousands and thousands of kilometers. Last night, I saw her in Lawton, and it was daunting. Because of her, and because of the bleak surroundings. A neighborhood polluted from the disposition of its inhabitants to the sky that … Continue reading “Who Are You, Little Virgin? / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
Poor little doll of sticks and tinsel, as she bumps over the length and width of thousands and thousands of kilometers. Last night I saw her, in Lawton. It was overwhelming. For her and for the fading environment. A neighborhood tensed from the spirit of its citizens towards heaven which hovers up there, propped on … Continue reading “The Invisible Little Virgin / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
In Cuba we celebrated with joy a new anniversary of our beloved patroness: Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre. On the occasion of the 400 years that have passed since her apparition in the Bay of Nipe, a replica of her image toured Cuba under the slogan “Charity unites us,” and many faithful paid … Continue reading “The Mambisa Virgin / Rosa María Rodríguez Torrado”
In Cuba we celebrated with joy a new anniversary of our beloved patroness: Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre. On the occasion of the 400 years that have passed since her apparition in the Bay of Nipe, a replica of her image toured Cuba under the slogan “Charity unites us,” and many faithful paid … Continue reading “The Mambisa Virgin”
I saw him. I’m sure it was him. He didn’t recognize me, absorbed in himself as he was, sitting in a bar on Belascoaín Street, listening to Olga Guillot on a decrepit RCA Victrola. It was four in the afternoon on September 8th. A desert sun seemed like it was going to melt the Havana … Continue reading “On the Virgin’s Day, The Poet Was Listening to Boleros / Iván García”
In September, Havanans venerate three virgins: on September 7 the Regla virgin; the following day the Virgin of the Charity of Cobre, and the Merced virgin on the 24th. Regla and Charity are mixed race, and one of them, Our Lady of Charity of Cobre, is the Patron Saint of Cuba. Rain or shine, Havanans … Continue reading “The Cachita of Central Havana / Iván García”
