English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
As ancient buildings are crumbling, the vacant lots are transformed into parks that are always closed 14ymedio, Victor Ariel Gonzales, Havana, 9 January 2015 — A group of tourists stops at the entrance of the “ecological park” on Mercaderes Street, a few steps from the Havana Cathedral. The guide speaks to them about this vacant … Continue reading “Look But Don’t Touch / 14ymedio, Victor Ariel Gonzalez”
By Jeovany Jimenez Vega Jean-Paul de la Fuente, director of New7Wonders, the Swiss foundation behind the online contest to name the seven most marvelous cities of the world, is visiting the Cuban capital. Having been received by Marta Hernández Romero, president of the Havana Provincial Assembly of Popular Power, and Eusebio Leal Spengler, city historian, already De … Continue reading “Havana: City of the “Marvelous” Unreality / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
This small video — with English subtitles — is a tribute to Cuban architect Mario Coyula by Eusebio Leal, Havana City Historian. The film was made by Miguel Coyula, the well-known Cuban filmmaker, and Mario’s son. For the Spanish speakers among you, and others who can enjoy the photos, following is an extract of Mario … Continue reading “Homage to Cuban Architect Mario Coyula / Miguel Coyula”
Reopening of the Marti Theater Since we were kids we dreamed of this space full of magic and history, where a great part of Cuban culture was staged and presented for our enjoyment. Timeless works were presented there: “Cecilia Valdés,” “Amalia Batista,” among others, without forgetting that in this space in 1900 the Constituent Assembly … Continue reading “Marti Theater, Much More Than a Stage Set / Angel Santiesteban”
HAVANA, Cuba- Some years ago the American sociologist George Ritzer adopted the perspective of the “McDonaldization of society.” Within this, and thinking of the Disney parks, he coined the term, “McDonaldization of tourism.” It would be interesting to know Ritzer’s opinion about the great theme park that Cuban has been turned into. Or the several … Continue reading “Havana: Castro-McDisney Theme Park / Luis Cino Alvarez”
HAVANA, Cuba – The Cuatro Caminos (Four Roads) Market, one of the most important of Havana, and pioneer of the system of supply and demand for agricultural products, will close its doors on 2 February. They already met with the employees and told them the site will undergo “repairs” and that they will be relocated … Continue reading “The Cuatro Caminos Market Will be a Museum / Orlando Freire Santana”
CUBA IN FOCUS – New book edited by Ted A. Henken, Miriam Celaya, and Dimas Castellanos Article by Ted Henken, from his blog, El Yuma Those of you who follow me on Twitter @ElYuma will already know that just over a month ago ABC-CLIO published a new book about Cuba, called Cuba in Focus, that … Continue reading “CUBA IN FOCUS – New Book in English from “Our” Bloggers and Independent Journalists”
The grand colossus, a distinctive symbol of the city, remained sleeping, down on its luck. For decades dust and grime covered all of its enormous, solid structure. One day it suddenly woke up; its long-awaited moment had arrived. Construction began during the Machado administration on one of the highest points in the city — on … Continue reading “Restoration of a Memory / Rebeca Monzo”
By: Ignacio Estrada Havana, Cuba — Around 11:00 in the morning last Friday, April 19, while Latin America was following the inauguration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the distinguished intellectual and communist Alfredo Guevara died in the Cuban capital. Guevara’s death was first announced on the multi-national news channel TeleSur and later on a cultural … Continue reading “Alfredo Guevara Dies in Havana / Ignacio Estrada”
Recently I learned, although it has not yet been publicly announced, that the Havana Historian Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler, has retired his economic motor: “Habaguanex.” I am sure that this gentleman will come to be known as one of the few citizens of the Cuban Archipelago who, in the last 54 years, has done commendable … Continue reading “The Probable Ingratitude of Men / Angel Santiesteban”
She is a woman alone, devout Catholic from a famous neighborhood on the outskirts, and lays to rest all her dead in a family pantheon. The Columbus Cemetery, sooner rather than later, will reunite her with them and with God. Holy word. The sadness of life is not eternal. Alas, now the meeting will have … Continue reading “The Forgotten Dead / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
“I do not agree with giving mercenaries the same rights as intellectuals,” claimed the writer Miguel Barnet, president of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) and member of the Communist Party Central Committee, at the 30th Conference of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) held in San Francisco, California, this May. Barnet’s … Continue reading “Who is the Mercenary? / Oscar Espinosa Chepe”
These are the forces that keep us alive: dignity, freedom, and courage. – José Martí I confess that if something causes me pain is to feel helpless, as a black citizen, every time I see the statue of José Miguel Gómez, located in area of El Vedado, in Havana. The statue is right on the … Continue reading “Constant Shame / Mackandal – Manuel Aguirre Lavarrere”
The press and official propaganda organ of the Cuban government, Granma, published a report dated May 18 in Washington, on a lecture given by the City of Havana historian, Eusebio Leal Spengler, at The Brookings Institution think tank in the U.S. Capital. It dealt with the project of restoring the historic center of Havana, declared … Continue reading “The Brookings Institution / Rafael León Rodríguez”
These days the Cuban nation should be crying and writhing in its own betrayal. It gives the sensation of a country winding down, that sells quickly, like someone trying to extract every possible benefit before leaving. For years it has been auctioning off its cultural heritage on the Internet. Works by leading artists who are not even alive … Continue reading “Cuba: A Country Being Auctioned / Angel Santiesteban”
