Brain Adjustment Act / Ernesto Morales Licea

Who could have told the patriarch Fidel Castro that in the autumn of his years he would find an ally to repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act, and not among his starched-brain little spokespeople in the leftist corners of the world, but among Miami’s ranks of the ultra-right-wing itself? If he had the strength for it, … Continue reading “Brain Adjustment Act / Ernesto Morales Licea”

Another Cuba for Our Man in Havana / Ernesto Morales Licea

After touching up his work in his Italian homeland, our man in Havana landed in Miami. He was preceded by a great omen: censorship. The best antecedent to arouse interest. A filmmaker whose latest work has been rejected by each and every European festival where he tried to show it. He entered it in small … Continue reading “Another Cuba for Our Man in Havana / Ernesto Morales Licea”

Meurice’s Roar / Yoani Sánchez

In memoriam for Pedro Meurice Estiú Archbishop Emeritus of Santiago de Cuba They called Archbishop Pedro Meurice Estiu “the lion of the East” for his more-than-proven bravery in the face of the arbitrary and authoritarian. That January 24, 1998, in Antonia Maceo Plaza in Santiago de Cuba, his face is serious, deep in thought. Pope … Continue reading “Meurice’s Roar / Yoani Sánchez”

Among Dissidents (II. Final) / Ernesto Morales Licea

EML: Mr. Lesnik, we’ve already talked about the Cuban opposition, where does your aversion to these political activists come from? Why can’t you, a man so markedly political, not accept the right of these people to belong to parties that oppose the only official Party? ML: It stems from, among other things, that for me … Continue reading “Among Dissidents (II. Final) / Ernesto Morales Licea”

More Than a Little Bit of Faith / Ernesto Morales Licea

I heard it said to a great man during a recent television interview: Asked about Cuba’s imminent future, the priest José Conrado, visiting Miami, responded that for him good news was approaching, hopes appearing on a complex horizon. Suddenly, hearing his daring statement, I remembered something: I shared it with him 100%. I think that … Continue reading “More Than a Little Bit of Faith / Ernesto Morales Licea”

My Friend the Priest and a Philosophy of Life / Regina Coyula

I have a friend, a native Palma Soriano, who settled in Santiago years ago. My friend is a priest. For me, it’s as if he were a master electrician as we are friends despite his priesthood and my atheism. My husband calls him “Father” and uses the formal “you” when speaking to him, but to … Continue reading “My Friend the Priest and a Philosophy of Life / Regina Coyula”

To Honor, Honors / Rebeca Monzo

It was January of 1998. The city was getting ready for a huge occasion: the visit of the Pope. Our beloved friend Father José Conrado was a guest in our house, staying in the little room upstairs. It was during those unforgettable days when we met Marquetti. He would come each morning to collect JC … Continue reading “To Honor, Honors / Rebeca Monzo”

A Well-Deserved Award / Rebeca Monzo

The evening was cool. Since the early hours we were preparing for what would happen that afternoon. We were to pick up the poet and Regina in order to go together to the Dutch ambassador’s residence, where there would be a reception to present the Prince Claus award officially to Yoani Sánchez. Upon arriving at … Continue reading “A Well-Deserved Award / Rebeca Monzo”

The Persistence of Fear / Ernesto Morales Licea

An anecdote not often shared relates that, at the end of a meeting between Fidel Castro and Cuban artists in 1969, where he pronounced his polysemic “Words to the Intellectuals,” a discordant — and unexpected — voice spoke up. It was Virgilio Piñera, perhaps the most immortal and lacerated playwright our Island has given birth … Continue reading “The Persistence of Fear / Ernesto Morales Licea”

A May 20th Rebellion in Havana

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 19 May 2021 — Addicted as they are to the celebration of patriotic and revolutionary events, the official media should review the events that occurred in Havana on May 20, 1955, when the University Student Federation (FEU) wanted to commemorate the advent of the Republic with an act of protest against the … Continue reading “A May 20th Rebellion in Havana”

One Single History / Fernando Damaso

Fernando Dámaso, 14 January 2019: Cuba’s history runs from 1492 to the present day, and men and women have contributed to it, for good or ill, throughout this period. Because of that, I have never understood why they talk and write about science, art and sport, to name but three examples, as being pre-January 1st … Continue reading “One Single History / Fernando Damaso”