English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
The corner of 23 and L is the center of Havana. It is always lively. At any hour. Together, as if they were shaking hands, we have the Habana Libre hotel, the Coppelia ice cream parlour and the Yara cinema. There are too many blown bulbs amongst the neon lights of the cinema billboard which barely manages to announce a British film, … Continue reading “Neither Strawberry Nor Chocolate”
Karel Poort recalls the frantic minutes when he ran out of his room, with his Nikon F301 in hand Juan Carlos Espinosa/EFE, La Habana, 4 August 2024 — During his vacation in Cuba, the Dutch photographer Karel Poort began to take photos of a demonstration outside his hotel without knowing that, some time later, they … Continue reading “The History of the Iconic Photos of the Maleconazo, 30 Years Later: “I Was the Only One There””
14ymedio, Havana, 18 October 2022 — The plastic artist Juan Moreira, known for being the first Cuban painter to illustrate Don Quijote de la Mancha in a Cuban edition, died this Monday in Havana at the age of 83, the Ministry of Culture confirmed to official media. Born in Havana in 1938, he assisted the … Continue reading “Cuban Painter Juan Moreira, Illustrator of Don Quixote, Dies”
14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodriguez, Havana, 17 September 2022 — The glory days of La Roca, a restaurant at the corner of 21st and M streets in Havana, only lasted for a few years. Inspired by Art Deco architecture and designed by Modesto Campos and Hugo D’Acosta Calheiros — two then-young architects, one of them still … Continue reading “Is There a State-Owned Restaurant in Cuba that Has Good Food and Treats Customers Well?”
14medio, Havana, 8 June 2022 — Havanans have seen what will be the tallest building in Havana go up, at 23rd and K, the heart of El Vedado, in just a few months and without the usual propaganda by the Cuban authorities when it comes to an achievement. The construction, which is called the “López-Calleja … Continue reading “Cuban Architect’s Criticism of the New Tower at 23rd and K in Havana Unleashes the Wrath of the Official Press”
14ymedio, Ariel Hidalgo, Miami, May 17, 2022 — When the so-called Ten Million Ton Sugar Harvest of 1970 failed and a young teacher from a trade school called for “a revolution within the revolution” at a mass rally, he was on the verge of being arrested. The Cuban revolution had been completed just two years … Continue reading “Cuba: We Need Another Revolution”
14ymedio, Havana, 20 September 2021 — The image of a young man violently taken into custody by a plainclothes policeman a few meters from the Capitol in Havana has become one of the iconic photos of the repression against protesters on July 11. Now, the protagonist of the snapshot taken by a 14ymedio reporter faces a sanction of ten months … Continue reading “Ten Months Forced Labor for Young Cuban Marching on the Street on July 11th”
14ymedio, Madrid, 17 June 2021 – To immunize the Cuban population against Covid-19, along with those foreigners going for the “mojito with vaccine” vacation deal, the authorities have figured that between 20 and 25 million syringes will be needed. It is a goal could be within reach, given the donations – almost half the number … Continue reading “Despite the Embargo, 10 Million Syringes Are En Route to Cuba from the U.S.”
14ymedio, Olea Gallardo, Havana, 16 September 2020 — A total of 23 construction workers who are Indian citizens who are in Havana are part of the new group of people infected with Covid-19, according to the latest official figures, as reported this Wednesday by the Ministry of Health. All of them are male, aged between … Continue reading “23 Indian Workers for State Construction Company Almest Infected With Covid-19”
14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 15 June 2020 — On television they say that Cuba is heading towards reopening, a curious word for a country with so many political borders and so many economic dams. “If they say it, they will know something,” says a neighbor who, by dint of passing needs, now entrusts his hopes in … Continue reading “Last Day: Countdown To Get Nowhere”
14ymedio, Havana, 21 January 2017 — Danilo Maldonado, known as El Sexto, was released this Saturday after spending nearly two months in prison after being arrested on 26 November of last year for painting graffiti with the phrase “He left” on a wall of the hotel Habana Libre, a few hours after the announcement of … Continue reading “El Sexto Released, After Almost Two Months Detention / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Marcelo Hernandez, Havana, 30 December 2016 — “You have to show yourself like a peacock, with all your colors,” Tito, 22, explains to a friend who just downloaded the Tinder application onto his phone. The social dating network is sweeping the island and among young people it is one of the most used apps in the … Continue reading “Tinder Turns La Rampa Into A Catwalk For Love / 14ymedio, Marcelo Hernandez”
14ymedio, Zunilda Mata – He didn’t know that in Cuba he would be rebaptized yuma, but, within a few days of arriving he’s become accustomed to the word and his condition as a “hidden” tourist. Daniel, born in Oklahoma, is one of the thousands of travelers from the United States who have officially visited the … Continue reading “‘Yumas’ In Cuba, “As If They Had Never Left” / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata”
14ymedio, Pedro Campos, Havana, 27 June 2016 — Recently, Havana has been declared a New7Wonder City of the Modern World, based on the votes of thousands of people in a contest by the Swiss foundation New7Wonders, citing its “mythical attraction, the warm and welcoming atmosphere and the charm and gaiety of its inhabitants.” Winning the … Continue reading “Havana, Definitely a “Wonder City” / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos”
Ivan Garcia, 10 January 2016 — One month before their trip, José María, his wife and two sons from Valencia Spain made reservations through the internet for two rooms at the Hotel Riviera, which faces Havana’s seaside drive, the Malecón. “There was no way to rent a car,” says José María as he sips papaya juice in … Continue reading “Cuban Tourism: Are There Enough Beds? / Ivan Garcia”
