English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Public spaces In a recent column I published an anecdote with which I’m sure you agree: our meeting in 2004, by chance, on the corner of Palacio de los Matrimonios in Vedado, after months without seeing each other, in which, very concerned about the political and cultural pressures you were under, you told me, “You’re … Continue reading “Interview of Cuban writer Ángel Santiesteban Prats by Amir Valle – Part 4 of 4”
By Antonio Rodiles The government document regarding guidelines for economic and social policy seeks to outline a new design for Cuban society. This new design envisions an economy essentially separated into three distinct sectors: 1) Large Enterprises: This segment contemplates those sectors with the highest profitability. Here we find tourism, the new Economic Zones (for … Continue reading “The Government Guidelines for the Economy and the new Cuban Economic and Social Structure / Estado de Sats / State of Sats”
[In this part of an unedited interview, which I don’t know when it will be published, I respond to the question: “Ciego de Ávila: Love or scorn?”] I have tried to invent the province lovingly, although for that I had to give a primary form to that love without obligation until it was more or … Continue reading “Huge Hell Whether it Works or Not (For the Poetry of the ’90s) / Francis Sánchez”
By Luis Eligio D’Omni and Amaury Pacheco D’Omni: (Artists currently on tour in the United States of America) 1- On The 13th of April, Hector Riscart Mustelier (El Ñaño), the leader of Cuban alternativity, musician for and director of the band Herencia [Heritage], and Bobo Shanti Leader in Cuba, will be tried behind closed doors, … Continue reading “An Open Letter to Castro and The Cardinal / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
Alamar – a pile of concrete blocks without order or agreement – is in this case the work, the artistic object, the clay and the wall on which one has molded and daubed. The artists can be you, me, or anyone else, although for the moment we are going to call them Juan Carlos, Amaury, … Continue reading “Pushing the Limits: Yoani Sanchez Interviews OMNI ZONA FRANCA”
“When I close the door, I never know whether I’m inside or outside.” (Judith Vázquez) I open the door. The unexpected and inexplicable (and as yet unexplained) return to TV of Jorge Papito Serguera, El Gordo Quesada and Luis Pavón Tamayo, a.k.a. (some say) Leopoldo Ávila, has awoken a logical agitation in Cuban intellectual circles, … Continue reading “My Point of View / Eliseo Alberto Diego – "Lichi" / POLEMICA: The 2007 Intellectual Debate”
In the official newspaper — of course no others are allowed to exist — a “journalist” published an article titled “Trampling innocence,” where, exalted, he concerns himself with highlighting some children’s games where they pretend to “kill.” He tells us, “They can hide these irresponsible attitudes in the future; and although habit does not make … Continue reading “Trampling Innocence / Angel Santiesteban”
LOOK AT ME DEATH, AND DO NOT CRY FOR YOUR LOVE [Short video of the tanks on the train] When Orlando Zapata Tamayo died in Havana, I went to the Playa del Este to die a little too me. En route 462 we saw a convoy of trucks loaded with tanks. Tanks of war to … Continue reading “IN THE DEATH OF THE HEART / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
Since the socialist camp fell, our politicians miss the Cold War and now should be celebrating the possible war between the dictators and the western democracies. They have worked for years with this objective. But they still talk on the radio about their ideological press releases, hypnotizing multitudes, that “the world cries out for peace.” … Continue reading “Hot War / Lilianne Ruíz”
The opening of the exhibition of graffiti artist Danilo Machado Maldonado, aka El Sexto* (The Sixth), on Saturday October 29th at five in the afternoon in the apartment of Gorki Aguila, the leader of the rock band Porno para Ricardo was an event beyond its artistic connotation, a professional act of solidarity with the creator, … Continue reading “El Sexto’s Exposition / Miguel Iturria Savón”
Just as expected, the article I published in number 9 of the magazine Voces which I reposted in this blog caused stinging and irritation in more than one website, which always makes me feel good. Among those affected by the stings, blogger Elaine Díaz seems to honor me with her attention in a particular way. … Continue reading “Response to Elaine’s Irritation / Miriam Celaya”
I get up, got to the mirror to brush my teeth, and discover that my eyes are slanted. I can’t turn on the light because Rafa is sleeping; I prefer to think that I didn’t sleep well and that it’s because of the shadows in the room and I leave it. I turn on the … Continue reading “Pyongyang’s Plan / Rosa María Rodríguez Torrado”
I get up, got to the mirror to brush my teeth, and discover that my eyes are slanted. I can’t turn on the light because Rafa is sleeping; I prefer to think that I didn’t sleep well and that it’s because of the shadows in the room and I leave it. I turn on the … Continue reading “Pyongyang’s Plan”
Last Friday, the 8th, the newspaper Granma, published an extensive anonymous two-page work taken from Olive-Green Editions*, about the plural legacy of Marti, titled: “The idea of a single party is a legacy of José Martí.” It is not a new complaint. The argument is that Marti created a party and only one party for … Continue reading “The Plural Legacy of Martí / Regina Coyula”
I felt envious as I followed the events in Egypt. The Egyptian people poured out onto the streets and demonstrated to their leaders who truly should be in control. How I wish the citizens of my country would wake up to this reality! However, I feel that it’ll be a long time before something similar … Continue reading “Why is it That We Cubans Don’t Protest? / Laritza Diversent”