Search results for: Abel Prieto

The Cancellation of A Cyber-Gathering In Camagüey Sparks Outrage / 14ymedio, Orlando Palma

14ymedio, Orlando Palma, Camaguey, 2 November 2015 — The peaceful city of Camagüey experienced a shock among its intellectuals this weekend. The well-known film critic Juan Antonio Garcia Borrero denounced the “intellectual conservatism” that led to the suspension of a cyber-gathering programmed for this Thursday in Café Ciudad. In his blog, Cine cubano, la pupila insomne … Continue reading “The Cancellation of A Cyber-Gathering In Camagüey Sparks Outrage / 14ymedio, Orlando Palma”

Official Writers: The Good Life is Over / Cubanet, Ernesto Perez Chang

Now that the slogan is economic profitability, what will happen to all the mediocre but loyal intellectuals? Cubanet.org, Ernesto Perez Chang, Havana, 20 July 2015 – In that “without haste but without pause”* race to impose a new economic model that might alleviate the ravages of Fidel Castro’s despotism, in Cuba some are wondering if … Continue reading “Official Writers: The Good Life is Over / Cubanet, Ernesto Perez Chang”

Cuban Vice President Diaz-Canel: “The Cultural Policy Of The Cuban Revolution Is Unique” / 14ymedio

A few days after the censorship of Juan Carlos Cremata’s production of The King is Dying, cultural policy has been the topic of discussion on Monday at the National Assembly commission dedicated to these issues. The first vice president of the Councils of States and of Ministers Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, participated in the debate. The … Continue reading “Cuban Vice President Diaz-Canel: “The Cultural Policy Of The Cuban Revolution Is Unique” / 14ymedio”

Cremata Expresses an Artist’s Bellyful Against Cultural Repression / 14ymedio, Miriam Celaya

“What right does anyone have to rule over everyone’s thoughts?” The question, deeply subversive towards the Cuban reality, is at the heart of the open letter that artist Juan Carlos Cremata recently sent to an unknown Culture officer by the name of Andy Arencibia Concepción after a commission of the National Council of Theatre Arts … Continue reading “Cremata Expresses an Artist’s Bellyful Against Cultural Repression / 14ymedio, Miriam Celaya”

Lambs of God / Angel Santiesteban

L to r: Victor Fowler, unidentified, Mariela Castro Ángel Santiesteban-Prats, 13 April 2015 — A friend’s grandmother claimed that most people complain,”When their own toe is stepped on, but not for someone else’s” because it does not hurt them. Just a few days ago I wrote a post in which I mentioned the Cuban intellectual Victor Fowler. … Continue reading “Lambs of God / Angel Santiesteban”

To the Righteous (?!) Women from UNEAC*, When is Your Statement Expected’

Ángel Santiesteban-Prats, 3 June 2015 — There is not a single day of my existence in prison in which I don’t feel embarrassed for those women who, at the beginning of 2013, once I was jailed, made a supposed appeal against gender violence, when in fact it was later shown — by the silence they maintained … Continue reading “To the Righteous (?!) Women from UNEAC*, When is Your Statement Expected’”

Politicians by Decree and Illiterate by Submission / Cubanet, Victor Manuel Dominguez

Cubanet.org, Victor Manuel Dominguez, Havana, 24 June 2015 – Abel Prieto rides again. Not as the author of two little novels whose names I cannot remember. Nor as the ex-president of a union of writers and authors more sold to the powers-that-be than self-help books at the Havana book fair, or reproductions of “Still Life … Continue reading “Politicians by Decree and Illiterate by Submission / Cubanet, Victor Manuel Dominguez”

Rene Vazquez Diaz: Cuban Forgettings / Intellectual Debate

See here for background information on this series of posts. René Vázquez Díaz, Sweden, 2007 — Last year, during a period of several months, personalities committed to the politics of cultural repression during the 1970s were interviewed on various Cuban television programs. The reappearance on the small screen of odious characters who call to mind … Continue reading “Rene Vazquez Diaz: Cuban Forgettings / Intellectual Debate”

The Landscape Before the Storm / Yoani Sanchez

14ymedio, Generation Y, Yoani Sanchez, 15 June 2015 – Before the downpour there is a scent that crosses the city. It is the premonition of water, the anticipation of the cloudburst. The birds fly to their nests and the most cautious seek a doorway where they can shelter until the rain passes. This impression of … Continue reading “The Landscape Before the Storm / Yoani Sanchez”

14 Minutes that Shook the Revolution / Cubanet, Victor Manuel Dominguez

Cubanet, Victor Manuel Dominguez, Havana, 29 May 2015 – “P.M.,” that short documentary made by Orlando Jimenez Leal and Saba Cabrera Infante, was the beginning of the end of freedom of expression in Cuban Culture. Conceived in the beginning as a four-minute report that would establish a parallel between the militants who installed canons on … Continue reading “14 Minutes that Shook the Revolution / Cubanet, Victor Manuel Dominguez”

Terrorism and the Revolution of 1959 / 14ymedio, Jose Gabriel Barrenchea

14ymedio, Jose Gabriel Barrenchea, Santa Clara, 21 April 2015 – Recently we have been hearing the official spokesmen of Castro’s submissive society accusing everybody of being terrorists. However, did you know that the Castro Revolution came to power on a wave of urban terrorism, which left in its wake a quite significant sum of “collateral … Continue reading “Terrorism and the Revolution of 1959 / 14ymedio, Jose Gabriel Barrenchea”

My Minutes With the Pope / Jeovany Jimenez Vega

Jeovany Jimenez Vega, 9 May 2015 — What would I say to Pope Francis if I could speak with him minutes before his meeting with Raúl Castro?*  If Jesus came into the world to save the impure, to sit also at the table of the Pharisees (those with souls most contaminated by the splinter of evil), what … Continue reading “My Minutes With the Pope / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”

To the Government supporters: “You showed your trashy ways” / Rebeca Monzo

Image of the pro-government supporters taken from the Internet Rebeca Monzo, 15 April 2105 — The 7th (of April) arrived.  The Summit of the Americas in Panama and, with it, the invited and participating delegations started to arrive in the Central American country.  The official Cuban delegation, one of the largest, had a good time organizing and preparing, under … Continue reading “To the Government supporters: “You showed your trashy ways” / Rebeca Monzo”

The Latin-America I Acknowlege / Miriam Celaya

Miriam Celaya, 13 April, 2015 — The Americas Summit in Panama will remain in my memory in the form of many images. Six intense days, which, for better or worse, strengthened and delighted me, all things considered, for I had the privilege to witness to a historical event: the Cuban presence at the most important … Continue reading “The Latin-America I Acknowlege / Miriam Celaya”

It’s not my fault either / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Panama, 12 April 2015 — During the Summit of the Americas, when Raul Castro said Barack Obama was not at fault for the decisions taken by the ten presidents that preceded him, confusion overcame me and it’s no wonder. Upon hearing that speech, delivered in front of more than thirty leaders meeting … Continue reading “It’s not my fault either / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar”