English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
It is no coincidence that the women who struggle are called crazy, because in reality they must underestimate something, and this has been thus in the history of humanity, because it is very difficult for them to recognize that woman also has a brain… Elisa Carrió, founder of the Argentine political party “Affirmation for a … Continue reading “The Rosa Parks Girls Close the Capitol in Havana / Dora Leonor Mesa”
Havana, Cuba- Danilo Maldonado (El Sexto, or “The Sixth”), a well-known young graffiti artist in Cuba, exhibited his work this past Friday the 25th in the afternoon at the alternative space of Estado de SATS (State of SATS). It is the second time that this artist showcases his creation, the samples running the gamut from … Continue reading “El Sexto Once Again Demonstrates His Art / Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada”
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40 In those years of UMAP*, when Mr. Jaime Ortega was one more in the concentration camps, no one would have imagined that the last but most important mission of what some still … Continue reading “The Missions of the Cardinal / Mario Barroso”
The block where Laura Pollan lived is once again taken under the filthy shade of the Cuban flag, to repudiate — or hold a carnival — which is the same thing in Cuba. Down with capitalism! Long live the Critical Observatory’s Socialism! May 12 2012
Cuba looks like an anthill, and each one has contributed — as they say — a grain of sand. Believing that this grain of sand is so little that it means nothing because “nothing can change”. I am reading for the first time “El poder de los sin poder” (The Power of The Powerless), by … Continue reading “Living Among Lies / Lilianne Ruíz”
Translator’s note: This article by Regina is from the blog of Ernesto Hernandez Busto,, Penultimos Dias. It is a response to a commentary by Ernesto, “The Gap,” which appears below in translation. The gap exists; but it also existed in the GDR the day before the wall fell, and in Romania, just as they started … Continue reading “Opening the Gap / Regina Coyula”
It seems that the recent papal visit will be the event of the year in Cuba. The first Sunday of April has passed amid offerings and arrests, while even more arrests, beatings, and violent acts against Ladies in White and other non-violent human rights activists are being reported from a number of provinces. In Holguin, … Continue reading “In the Undertow / Luis Felipe Rojas”
The situation in which we live incites violence in many ways, and we must not allow ourselves to provoke it. Not only because they have the weapons and the power to annihilate any popular uprising, but also because we do not have to be like them, the men and women who have managed to free … Continue reading “Spring for Cuba / Lilianne Ruíz”
Compatriots, brothers, sisters, all Cubans, executive directors and members of this coalition of coalitions appalled by the cowardly assassination of political prisoner Wilman Villar Mendoza, who died on Thursday afternoon as a result of torture and mistreatment during a long agony on hunger strike during which he demanded fair and transparent criminal proceedings, which would … Continue reading “Declaration of the Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Front of Civic Resistance and Civil Disobedience / Jorge Luis García Pérez Antunez”
Hearing a journalist talking on the shortwave radio about the upcoming Pope’s presence in Cuba, he referred to it using the word “tour”. This gave me much to think about, because the church has taken very good care to emphasize that the visit of Benedict XVI to our country is a pilgrimage to Our Lady … Continue reading “The Tour of Benedict XVI / Rebeca Monzo”
In 2003, what was I doing? Now I can’t remember exactly. None of those tried in summary trials in the Black Spring of 2003, they charged, according to prosecutors’ intentions, with 20 years or life imprisonment, had committed any crime. They were made prisoners for exercising their right to try to change this state of … Continue reading “Voices Behind the Bars / Lilianne Ruíz”
A press release signed by Orlando Márquez Hidalgo was published in Granma under the title “Havana Bishopric Calls the Occupation of the Temple Illegitimate*” (Thursday March 15, 2012, page 2.). This is merely a genuine sermon from the director of the popular magazine of the Archdiocese of Havana, Palabra Nueva, against thirteen dissidents who remain … Continue reading “The Protest of Thirteen Others / Miriam Celaya”
Fellow few hours ago I returned from Havana, where I was with the young opponent Junier García Ruiz at the home of Sara Marta Fonseca Quevedo participating in the camp that there held in support of freedom of this sister of ours, of her husband Julio León Pérez and others arrested. This historical encampment had … Continue reading “Comment on Radio Mambí / Jorge Luis García Pérez Antunez”
One. I saw it this past Sunday, March 4th, in the film ‘El Camino’ (‘The Path’). Four pilgrims were going down the Way of St. James*. For diverse reasons, they form a team, bring their lives together, and after many prayers, discover a compass to their new lives. It turns out that sometimes literature and … Continue reading “The Path to Santiago…Three Times / Luis Felipe Rojas”
Translator’s note: This interview is from the digital magazine Cubaencuentro, from November 14, 2011. It was conducted by Luis Manuel García Méndez. We interviewed Alexis Romay, a graduate of The City University of New York’s master’s program in Spanish Language and Literature, author of the novel Salidas de emergencia (Emergency Exits) and the poetry collection … Continue reading “Cuba Archive Truth and Memory Project / Alexis Romay”
