English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
They have few reasons to envy of their capitalist counterparts. The differences between them are ones of rhetoric and philosophy. The anti-capitalist islanders having studied Marxist manuals and speak on behalf of the poor. But many are living at full throttle. At the workplace they wear sweltering uniforms designed by some sadistic tailor from the … Continue reading “Olive Green High Society / Ivan Garcia”
Published in the second edition of Cuadernos de Pensamiento Plural, April 2013. People cannot live without history. On the 160th anniversary of the birth José Martí, “the crowning figure of Cuban political thought,” his ideas, instead of being used to solve the serious social problems that afflict Cuban society, continue to be manipulated in order to validate … Continue reading “The Philosophy of Marti versus the Totalitarian Model”
In late December, the journalist Pablo Mendez asked me for an interview for the digital space Cubanet, which was posted on January 4 this year. I am taking the liberty of reproducing it in this blog for my regular readers, while I record my thanks to both the journalist and the animators of Cubanet for … Continue reading “Extensive Interview on Cuban Politics: Past, Present and Future / Miriam Celaya”
Some ideologues and Leftists worldwide, coined the label that Americans are constantly trying to impose on the world their American way of life. A country so rich, a nation so diverse, hardworking and productive, created from themselves, a particular conception of the consumer society, the market economy and democratic system, their own. They established as … Continue reading “Chinese “Ox” of Life / Rosa Maria Rodriguez Torrado #Cuba”
Soleida Ríos just published through Union Publishers a collection of the dreams of certain Cuban characters, from a winner of the National Literature Prize to a champion boxer (the latter much more creative than the former, by the way). A poetic little book, of course, with too many cultural references to actually impact reports on … Continue reading “Castroniria / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
Note: This translation was prepared by TranslatingCuba.com Background on Heberto Padilla abounds on-line. His obituary in the New York Times refers to the document translated here: In April 1971 Mr. Padilla was released after a month of brutal interrogation during which he was forced to make a humiliating 4,000-word public confession. This document was released … Continue reading “Heberto Padilla’s Public Confession, 5 April 1971, A Transcript”
The levels of intimidation and repression of religious freedom on the island are the highest since 1980, according to a report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, published in May 2012. Their report documents a total of forty religious freedom violations in different regions of Cuba and compares them to those from previous years. Benedict XVI’s visit to the … Continue reading “Repression of Religious Minorities / Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada”
Site manager’s note: The information about the extensive repression leading up to the Pope’s visit is coming to us through Twitter, emails, Hablalo sin miedo (Speak without fear) and other routes, other than blog posts. Raul Garcia Jr., over at Pieces of the Island, has prepared an excellent summary of the most recent reports. Keep … Continue reading “(PARTIAL SUMMARY) Wave of arrests and threats sweep across Cuba just hours before the visit of Pope Benedict. #PopeCuba”
The most official newspaper, the voice of the only political party in Cuba, is cynical enough to publish an article entitled: “The dark side of democracy,” by the “journalist” and Bolivian university “professor,” national “Senator” for the Socialist Movement party (MAS), “former director”of the weekly “Here” and former candidate in 2002 for vice president of … Continue reading “Cuba: For 53 years the paper supports everything they write / Angel Santiesteban”
Photo Rebeca The issue of foreign policy has always been central for any state. All declare, unequivocally, that their foreign policy is independent. However, nothing is further from reality. Historically, the foreign policy of states has always been conditioned on economic, political, and ideological interests. These go beyond national frameworks and reach into neighboring states, … Continue reading “Independent Foreign Policy? / Fernando Dámaso”
The Cuba of the 21st century is split in two. The islet of the gentleman and the atoll of the comrade. The keys of capitalism are recognizable. Neon lights, fresh paint, large windows and air conditioning. In its stores, hotels, cabarets, nightclubs, bars and restaurants charging in hard currency (with New York prices), its employees, … Continue reading “Capitalism in Castro’s Island / Iván García”
For Cubans, accustomed to living at such a slow pace that time seems to pass only through sheer inertia, as if we belonged to the dizzying world beyond our borders, that other dimension of this universe, recent weeks have begun to make a difference. The Cuban reality has become less apathetic and linear – the … Continue reading “Old and Evil… Yes, but not Wise / Miriam Celaya”
CINDERELLA AND THE PAINTER by YOANI SANCHEZ (TAKEN FROM VOCES 8) Cinderella, the tail of this torpid caiman, the westernmost point of a country that long ago ceased to call itself the West. That’s Pinar del Rio, a place that has remained in the memory of thousands of Havanans, where we spent our long stays … Continue reading “CINDERELLA AND THE PAINTER / Yoani Sánchez”
Photo taken by Amnesty International by Pablo Pacheco Avila The future is unpredictable and our day to day experiences prove this. Just a few months ago my life was being consumed in a jail cell of the Canaletas Prison in the province of Ciego de Avila. Meanwhile, in other corners of the world thousands of … Continue reading “Chronicle of my Trip to London (Pt. I) / Pablo Pacheco”
The overthrow of Mubarak in Egypt has encouraged the idea that a similar event could occur in Cuba. That conclusion, based on similarities, doesn’t take into account the differences between the two scenarios. The governments of both countries emerged in the 50’s of last century, formed one-party systems, nationalized economies, and lacked or limited civil … Continue reading “Cuba and Egypt, Similarities and Differences / Dimas Castellanos”