Oswaldo Payá: The Act of Serving / Luis Felipe Rojas

Still dazed and in shock I compose these words to Oswaldo. When I started to get the first messages about Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas’s death they were showing the film “War Horse,” and in one of the scenes a soldier leaves his foxhole to save his charger and before the imminence of his death he is … Continue reading “Oswaldo Payá: The Act of Serving / Luis Felipe Rojas”

Tomás, the Man who Brought Broadway to Taguayabón / Mario Barroso

This past July 2 was second anniversary of the death of Tomás Leopold Alfonso Manso. He was born on September 30, 1941, and unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack on July 2, 2010, leaving an irreplaceable emptiness in Taguayabón, the town in which he lived since 1978 and to which he devoted his art, … Continue reading “Tomás, the Man who Brought Broadway to Taguayabón / Mario Barroso”

Glosses / Regina Coyula

Since I was in the hospital waiting for my mother to undergo a small surgery (as you see, I keep going with hospitals), I had time to read the entire Granma newspaper from Friday, the thickest of the week with its 16 pages. Page 1 The person in charge of a business is the director. … Continue reading “Glosses / Regina Coyula”

Cuban Opposition Leader Oswaldo Payá Dies in Car Crash / Yoani Sánchez

At five in the afternoon on July 22, the death of opposition leader and founder of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) Oswaldo Payá was confirmed. The news started as a rumor that spread during the early hours of Sunday afternoon. Known nationally and internationally for organizing and carrying out the Varela Project, his death at … Continue reading “Cuban Opposition Leader Oswaldo Payá Dies in Car Crash / Yoani Sánchez”

Oswaldo Payá Dead Ipso Facto in "Ecured" / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

What effectiveness with the enemies…!!! Translator’s note: Ecured is the Cuban government’s internal “wikipedia” — written and controlled by the government. The introductory text of Oswalda Payá’s entry [from the image above] reads: Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas. Cuban counterrevolutionary, linked to the United States. Leader of the counterrevolutionary organization The Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) and … Continue reading “Oswaldo Payá Dead Ipso Facto in "Ecured" / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

An Odyssey That Begins in La Coubre / Eliécer Ávila

La Coubre — the name that comes from a ship involved in a tragic eventthat killed many Cubans — is now a symbol of contemporary sadness: The National Railway Terminal, baptized with the same name. Its back patio consists of a large roofed space divided into several offices in the form of ships, which serve … Continue reading “An Odyssey That Begins in La Coubre / Eliécer Ávila”

Cuba in Elections / Cuban Legal Advisor, Laritza Diversent

By Laritza Diversent This 5th of July, the State Council invited Cubans to participate in the elections of municipal and provincial council members and national MPs. This convocation inaugurates the general election, taking place every 5 years, to renew the positions in the Popular Assemblies and the State Council. Now in 2012, 16-year-old Cubans will … Continue reading “Cuba in Elections / Cuban Legal Advisor, Laritza Diversent”

A Brief Chronicle of a Telephone Transaction / Rebeca Monzo

Yesterday, after nearly a month, I finally resolved the mysterious business of my cell phone account having been recharged which, it seems, had caused great anxiety for a certain commercial enterprise which really seems more like a bureau of investigation. You might recall my telling you that one fine day I received a small gift … Continue reading “A Brief Chronicle of a Telephone Transaction / Rebeca Monzo”

Inflatables in Cuba / Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada

Havana-Colored inflatables attract the attention of Cuban children as one of the most tempting offers of the present summer in the island. Teams install them in the most strategic places. Many of the parents still believe that the operation of these devices is a work of the Cuban State, strictly for the recreation of our … Continue reading “Inflatables in Cuba / Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada”

Increase in Penal Cases Filed in Courts of the Capital / Cuban Legal Advisor, Yaremis Floris / Laritza Diversent

By Yaremis Flores The increase in police reports and criminal trials held in the capital, were among the topics discussed a few weeks ago in a meeting among presidents of municipal courts in the former Audiencia de la Habana*, facing the Capitol. A judge who participated in the meeting and requested anonymity, said that the … Continue reading “Increase in Penal Cases Filed in Courts of the Capital / Cuban Legal Advisor, Yaremis Floris / Laritza Diversent”

S. O. S. for the Zoo / Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada

Havana – Once again the international media talks about the shipment of 146 animals from Namibia to Cuba. The act will fulfill the agreements signed by both governments a few moths ago. Just to cite some examples, there are elephants, black rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs and antelopes on the list of species. These animals will be … Continue reading “S. O. S. for the Zoo / Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada”

Threatened Eviction: Reporting in Real Time / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

This family is occupying an empty apartment in Alamar, a housing development east of Havana. From OmniZonaFranca website: We never received any intention from housing officials trying to resolve our case, we know that the State Security is aware of this situation. The traditional discourse of humanity and protection of the family are ever further … Continue reading “Threatened Eviction: Reporting in Real Time / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

Game or Lie? / Rebeca Monzo

As I watched the baseball games between the Cuban team (made up of professionals) and the American college students, I felt embarrassed. How exactly is it possible that our novice Cuban baseball players were not in on this game so that they could gain some experience? On top of that, the stadium was nearly empty. … Continue reading “Game or Lie? / Rebeca Monzo”

“The Colossus” from the Roof of my House / Luis Felipe Rojas

I owe this vignette to my friends Agnes and Cecile, in Toulouse. They came to San German a couple of years ago, right when Hurricane Ike had ravaged a good part of the north-eastern geography of Cuba. The strong winds had left the entire area on end, all over the place. They climbed up on … Continue reading ““The Colossus” from the Roof of my House / Luis Felipe Rojas”

First Half Year / Rebeca Monzo

Just six months since it opened, a full house has been the common denominator for the whole half-year, for the private restaurant La Rosa Negra. Early on Pedrito, the young owner, had to face many bureaucratic obstacles and so many others caused, unfortunately, by misunderstandings with some neighbors: that the air conditioning is noisy, that … Continue reading “First Half Year / Rebeca Monzo”