English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
A few days ago a friend asked me whether, if I had gone on a hunger strike five years ago, our case would have had the same outcome. Without hesitation I said no, and doing so caused me to immediately stop and ponder the differences, in terms of internal political circumstances between then and today. … Continue reading “We Are Evolving / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
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”
What can I say if I forget everything. Nothing, not even that and not the word nothing. So I carry a load of recordings of the past, what was learned. As if every atom in me, unknowingly or unwittingly, has a file in the autopilot. Everything I see or I suffer first hand I project … Continue reading “If I Forget Everything… / El Sexto – Danilo Maldonado Machado”
By Wilfredo Vallín Almeida On our way to the pharmacy, three individuals in plain clothes arrested me and my wife as we left the building where we live. They showed us an ID card: DSE [Department of State Security]. I thought they were trying to prevent us from attending a tried being held at the … Continue reading “The Work of A Life / Cuban Law Association, Wilfredo Vallín Almeida”
In these days of waiting for the Pope, everything around me is tense. I start to leave my phone at home. They followed me from before the presentation of Voices Magazine Number 14. But it is only persecution, at least they want you to think. I thought it wouldn’t be for some graffiti artist. Occasionally … Continue reading “They Kidnapped Me Again / El Sexto – Danilo Maldonado Machado”
For reasons beyond my control I could not access the Internet today and send these words to Citizen Zero through my wife. During the first week of my hunger strike I stayed for most of the time in Marti Park in Guanajay, located in front of the community clinic in this town, which was the … Continue reading “Hunger Strike: First Report / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
No one denies that the great information media, especially those with a global reach, often reflect the influences of the economic-political circles of power that lead, plan and cause the principal international events. But it is also true that no one can control all global information. And citizens who, today, are the race of the … Continue reading “The Machinery of Information / Eliécer Avila”
Last Saturday* in Estado de Sats the theme was cultural interchange between the island and the rest of the world, and specifically with the United States. The panel was composed of: Miriam Celaya, Julio Ariaga, Charles Barclay, assistant chief of the United States Interest Section, and as moderator, Antonio Rodiles. Alexis Jardines was unable to … Continue reading “Cultural Exchange / Rebeca Monzo”
From December 15 to 30 the 13th Havana Festival of Poetry Without End was held, sponsored by the sociocultural project OMNI ZONA Franca, according to the program catalog given out by its managers on Saturday 10 during the press conference before the cameras at the audiovisual space Estado de Sats. Poetry Without End is poetry … Continue reading “Poetry Festival Without End / Miguel Iturria Savón”
The night of Saturday, February 4, was celebrated at the home of Antonio G. Rodiles, precursor of the “Estado de SATS” project in the municipality of Playa, Havana, the award ceremony for the first edition of the Independent Social Photography Contest “Country of Pixels” initiative launched mid-2011 from the site of the same name by … Continue reading “Country of Pixels / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
On November 6, 2008, published my first digital article on the site Kaosenlared (Chaos on the Web). Three months earlier I had graduated in journalist at the University of the Oriente, did not have this blog, and was about to begin working at the radio station where I would be located during my Social Service. … Continue reading “My Article about Eliécer Avila… Three Years Later / Ernesto Morales Licea”
Last January 10th on the Havana Times website (www.havanatimes.org) was published an interview that journalist Yusimí Rodriguez conducted at my house a few days before. I wish to acknowledge my thanks publicly to Yusimí, who not only honored me with her attention, but gave me the opportunity to appear in alternative spaces, beyond the usual … Continue reading “Appreciation and Cyber-invitation / Miriam Celaya”
He’s brought Raul Castro an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the possible honesty of his words. In the handful of years during which he’s been the regent of this feudal family that is the whole Island, the younger of the Castros has never stopped repeating a maxim in his sharp voice and as if it were … Continue reading “The Rebellion of the Righteous / Ernesto Morales Licea”
Distrust is a fundamental part of the negative legacy of this system. The doubt when receiving a hug, suspicion in the face of candor, and phrases such as “I’m sure he’s with State Security” instead of “I’m glad he dares!” There is nothing more frustrating, for those who cross the line between silence and speaking … Continue reading “The Return of Eliécer / Yoani Sánchez”
A debate encounter sponsored by the Catholic digital publication Espacio Laical took place on Saturday, October 29th, 2011. The agency EFE, the leading Spanish news agency, reported the event in a very laudable manner, as published on October 30th on the digital site Cubaencuentro. The report states that “The new role that the Catholic Church … Continue reading “Between the Gun and the Cassock / Miriam Celaya”
