Cuban Reporter Covering the Rape Case of a Minor Arrested for 24 Hours

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 18 June 2021 — Writer Jorge Enrique Rodríguez, a journalist for Diario de Cuba and a collaborator of the International Institute of Artivism Hannah Arendt (Instar), was released this Friday after being detained for 24 hours. The journalist was arrested this Thursday around two in the afternoon outside the Western Army Military … Continue reading “Cuban Reporter Covering the Rape Case of a Minor Arrested for 24 Hours”

Cuban Government Organizes an Act of Repudiation Against Tania Bruguera

14ymedio, Havana, 3 June 2021 — On Thursday afternoon at the headquarters of the Hannah Arendt International Institute of Artivism (Instar), the artist Tania Bruguera received a visit from a group made up of about fifteen people who warned her of the consequences of continuing with her activities and demands. At the head of the … Continue reading “Cuban Government Organizes an Act of Repudiation Against Tania Bruguera”

Cuban Police Pursue Tania Bruguera While Germany Invites Her to an Art Exhibition

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 8 February 2021 — The Hannah Arendt International Institute of Artivism (Instar), founded in Havana by the artist Tania Bruguera, has been selected to participate in the 15th edition of documenta, the prestigious contemporary art exhibition held in Kassel, Germany, currently scheduled for June 18 to September 25, 2022. On this occasion, … Continue reading “Cuban Police Pursue Tania Bruguera While Germany Invites Her to an Art Exhibition”

Instar Offers Four Spaces for ‘Coworking’ at its Headquarters in Old Havana

14ymedio, Havana, 6 January 2020 — The Hannah Arendt International Institute of Artivism (Instar) has made available to other independent projects three spaces for coworking, shared offices, at its headquarters in Old Havana, according to an announcement published this Tuesday on its social networks. In a country marked by a housing deficit and few places … Continue reading “Instar Offers Four Spaces for ‘Coworking’ at its Headquarters in Old Havana”

Cuban State Security Continues to Harass the San Isidro Movement

14ymedio, Havana, 20 November 2020 — A police cordon around the headquarters of the San Isidro Movement, in Old Havana, has blocked pedestrians since since last Monday. State Security arrests anyone who tries to reach the place, where seven activists remain confined in protest of the sentence of eight months in prison for the rebellious rapper Denis Solís. … Continue reading “Cuban State Security Continues to Harass the San Isidro Movement”

Two Literary Awards Announced for Cuban Authors

14ymedio, Havana, 19 June 2019 — Literature lovers have a double opportunity with the announcement of two new awards for Cuban authors. The Hannah Arendt  Institute of Artivism (INSTAR), directed by independent artist Tania Bruguera, has announced the first edition of the Manuel Moreno Fraginals award, which will be awarded to a critical essay on the Revolution. The … Continue reading “Two Literary Awards Announced for Cuban Authors”

Independent Cuban Films Continue to Make Headway Internationally / Lynn Cruz

Havana Times, Lynn Cruz, 23 August 2018 – When darkness seems to hang over us a little heavier, there is a truth that shines through: “The essential thing is to work, to create.” It has been over a year now since our documentary Nadie, which we tried to screen at a private venue: “Casa Galeria El … Continue reading “Independent Cuban Films Continue to Make Headway Internationally / Lynn Cruz”

Cuban Youth Losing Their Fear / Lynn Cruz

Lynn Cruz, Havana Times, 17 May 2018 — While high-ranking officials were driving their cars and locking themselves into air-conditioned offices, a group of artists realized a project (perhaps the most ambitious to date), the recently concluded #00 Havana Biennial. Outside of Cuba’s institutional establishment, it took place from May 5-15. Responses from state-led cultural … Continue reading “Cuban Youth Losing Their Fear / Lynn Cruz”

Utopia in Havana at the Alternative Biennial / Lynn Cruz

Havana Times, Lynn Cruz, 7 May 2018 — Gerardo Mosquera, an important art critic and Cuban intellectual, made a gesture of solidarity towards me by inviting me to read his paper: “Utopia in Havana”, as part of a theoretical event which forms part of the Havana Alternative Biennial, which was independently organized and has received quite … Continue reading “Utopia in Havana at the Alternative Biennial / Lynn Cruz”

Independent #00Bienal Opens in Spite of Official Pressures

14ymedio, Havana, 5 May 2018 — This Saturday the independent #00Bienal was opened, an event that in recent days has been at the center of official attacks. In the vicinity of the site in Old Havana several members of the State Security dressed in civilian clothes were visible but they did not prevent the more than … Continue reading “Independent #00Bienal Opens in Spite of Official Pressures”

UNEAC Statements Show “A Lack of Respect” Towards Young Artists, Say Promoters of #00 Biennial

14ymedio, Havana, 3 May 2018 — Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, one of the organizers of #00Bienal, lamented the “lack of respect” with which Cuba’s Writers and Artists Union (UNEAC) and the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS), have addressed the event and the artists who support it, in the statement made public this Thursday. In the statement, … Continue reading “UNEAC Statements Show “A Lack of Respect” Towards Young Artists, Say Promoters of #00 Biennial”

UNEAC Accuses the #00Biennial of Being Financed "With Counterrevolutionary Funds"

14ymedio, Havana, 3 May 2018 – The Cuban Writers and Artists Union (UNEAC) and the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS), official entities to which many of the island’s artists belong, accused the organizers of the #00Bienal, on Thursday, of being financed “with funds from the mercenary counterrevolution.” Both associations attacked the promoters of the independent biennial and described … Continue reading “UNEAC Accuses the #00Biennial of Being Financed "With Counterrevolutionary Funds"”

Chronicle of a Journey After Being Expelled / Lynn Cruz

Havana Times, Lynn Cruz, 31 March 2018 — The first Independent Cuban Film Festival organized outside of Cuba coincided with my ban from entering the International Film School of San Antonio del Los Banos. With Cubans from the country of “Miami” taking the lead, the event had as its forerunner another that had been organized … Continue reading “Chronicle of a Journey After Being Expelled / Lynn Cruz”

Independent Artists and Galleries Join a Biennial Outside Official Institutions

14ymedio, Havana, 27 February 2018 — The organizers of the Havana #00 Biennial, an independent event whose celebration is scheduled from May 5-15, have won the support of several artists and independent spaces on the island, according to Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, one of the promoters of the initiative, speaking to 14ymedio. Among the artists who have confirmed … Continue reading “Independent Artists and Galleries Join a Biennial Outside Official Institutions”

Havana Biennial Postponed to 2019 Because of “Serious Damages” from Hurricane Irma

14ymedio, Havana, 25 September 2019 – The Promotion Division of Cuba’s National Council of the Arts and the Wifredo Lam Center for Contemporary Art announced that the 13th Havana Biennial, scheduled to be held next year, will be postponed until 2019. A press release on the Council’s website it explains that due “the extremely serious … Continue reading “Havana Biennial Postponed to 2019 Because of “Serious Damages” from Hurricane Irma”