English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
The government of the Castro brothers has staked everything on one card. That of Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, the strong man of Venezuela, a walking-talking comic strip, bursting out with some bizarre nonsense every minute. Chávez defies every canon of a balanced, sober and coherent statesman. It could be a bible passage, or he might … Continue reading “Chávez, the Substitute for the Russians?”
Havana from La Cabaña fort From Feb 11-22, Havana is the center of the 19th International Book Fair. Then, the Book Fair will tour the major Cuban cities for a month. The Book Fair will take place at the Fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña. This is a building in the form of a … Continue reading “The Fortress, the Books, and the City”
Beginning at Prado street and ending at Galiano, there is a five-block long pedestrian mall in the heart of Havana, replete with stores that take hard-currency or national pesos. Cafes, barber shops, ice cream parlors, markets, a cinema for children and a jewelry store in decline. Throughout the year the boulevard is very busy. December, … Continue reading “Havana Boulevard”
Public transport has always been a pending issue of the government of Fidel Castro. In spite of the fact that in the 80’s (when the country had more resources and support from Hungary and other former socialist countries), the Cuban government set up a factory that assembled the “Ikarus” brand buses in the village of … Continue reading “Riding on Route P”
Breaking: The Russians are coming back to Cuba, this time as tourists and with hard currency. And these last few days there has also been a fleet of enormous Russian ships, bristling with weaponry and radar, at anchor in Havana’s port. The intentions of both governments are clear. Castro II wants to ask for a … Continue reading “Russia is Coming Back”
By: Frank El Primo This text was written by Carlos T. Trujillo, who was born in Cienfuegos in 1869 and died in the same city in 1937. At the end of the war in 1898 he had the rank of Colonel of the Army of Liberation. A friend has provided me with a book of … Continue reading “The image of the Republic”
Cuando me veo y toco yo, Juan sin Nada no más ayer, y hoy Juan con Menos, y hoy con menos, vuelvo los ojos, miro, me veo y toco y me pregunto cómo ha podido ser. When I see and touch myself, I, Juan with Nothing only yesterday, and today Juan with Less, and today … Continue reading “Tengo / I have”