English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
The then-president of the Cuban Book Institute could have been one of my witnesses in the trial that was set up against me, but our political differences and his official functions did not permit him to put himself on the side of justice; which I never understood, because on the day that I might be … Continue reading “Prison Diary XXVII: Iroel Sanchez, Militant in his Interests / Angel Santiesteban”
By Jennifer Fonseca Padrón, Activist and Independent Journalist (www.miscelaneasdecuba.net) | Four years after the birth of the Network of Civic Libraries (NCL), its members and founders decided to come together to honor the date, look at the accomplishments of their work and set new goals to reach. The celebration took place at the NLC headquarters where a … Continue reading “Celebration of the 4th Anniversary of the Network of Civic Libraries / Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada, Jennifer Fonseca Padrón”
WE ARE ALL HERE BUT WE HAVE NOT LEFT Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo The Tucumanian night of Miami seizes me with hunger and with no desire to leave the hotel. I am alone. They have already forgotten me, luckily. I have already forgotten myself. Love is not waiting for me outside. Not yet. Not today. … Continue reading “WE ARE ALL HERE / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
The University belongs to the Revolutionaries, says the slogan on a central wall of the University of Camagüey, the first opened by the government of the older brother, Big Brother, in the gray gray gray years of the seventies, on the northeast side of my city. But today, when sometimes we feel just half gray, … Continue reading “The University / Henry Constantin”
Dear writers – French and from other nations present – critics, editors, translators, readers and the public in general: I do not deny to you that after several days the news of this event slept inside the prison, mocking the constant and deep watchfulness over my person, without it being possible to calm my anxiety … Continue reading “Message from Angel Santiesteban, sent to the event “Detained Writers/Dispatched Writers” / Angel Santiesteban”
Tall like a pine and genuine in his desire to express himself through art that is ephemeral and challenging, describes the young Cuban graffiti artist, Danilo Maldonado Machado — alias El Sexto (The Sixth) — who does not smile at the spring greenery nor the excess of tropical light, despite a love for the colorful … Continue reading “El Sexto, Between Paints and Searches / Miguel Iturria Savon”
My husband is not just any writer. He belongs to the generation known as “The Generation of the ’50s,” a rather arbitrary poetic grouping that started with Carilda Oliver (1922) and ran through David Chericián (1940). His generation’s peers — if they haven’t died or emigrated — have received the National Literature Prize and enjoyed … Continue reading “Rafael Alcides, Who is a Very Important Person / Regina Coyula”
Archive photo With those incomprehensible absurdities of politics, the United Nations Decolonization Committee adopted the resolution presented by Cuba, with support from Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela, on behalf of the inalienable right of the people of Puerto Rico to self-determination and independence. By any chance does this Committee know that on 6 November 2012 … Continue reading “Playing Dirty / Fernando Damaso”
As a young girl, I wanted to study journalism, entirely for the romantic idea to follow in the tracks of my grandfather, a decent Cuban who from the jungle in The Free Cuban and then from The World and Bohemia made me feel proud of my name. A proud lady with the last name of Nuiry, … Continue reading “Apprehension of the Press / Regina Coyula”
From “Pieces of the Island“: Yudisbel Roseyo Mojena, wife of dissident rapper and political prisoner Angel Yunier Remon Arzuaga “El Critico”, has been passing through some very difficult moments during these three months in which her husband has been behind bars. She has had to raise their newborn child (only 4 months old) on her … Continue reading “Support Requested for “El Critico”: Imprisoned Rapper”
Photo Rebeca One of the main sources of my posts is the newspaper Granma, not only for what it says, but also how it says it and for what it doesn’t say. Although sometimes it publishes this or that interesting letter, the Letters to the Editor section from last Friday was priceless: either everyone who … Continue reading “Consciousness Asleep / Fernando Damaso”
Again, the education sector is marred by scandal: the theft and sale of the questions for the eleventh grade exams. Apparently all or most of the municipalities of Havana are involved in this crime. It is not the first time this has happened, and the media haven’t reported it. As usual, the news comes through … Continue reading “Throwing Out the Sofa / Rebeca Monzo”
The Cuban government announces Internet connection points around the country, proving that the cable extending from Venezuela, which was the pretext for justifying out exile from browsing the digital networks, is working in the nation. They say, however, that it has not yet been approved for use in Cuban households thus maintaining the iron surveillance … Continue reading “Prison Diary XXX: Internet in Cuba / Angel Santiesteban”
Photo: Peter Deel Much has been written about the deterioration of Havana and other cities throughout the width and breadth of the country, and I can assure you that nothing has been exaggerated. One need only to take a quick stroll through any Havana neighborhood such as such as Víbora, Santo Suárez, Casino Deportivo, Fontanar, Altahabana, Nuevo … Continue reading “Neighborhood Decline / Rebeca Monzo”
The stench has overwhelmed Cuba for years, and in Havana it is more apparent in neighborhoods where the common people and workers live, where inhabitants do not have high positions in the state bureaucracy. We live among trash, and they treat us like trash. Countless malodorous corners overflowing with waste are contagious witnesses, giving evidence … Continue reading “Living In or Among Trash Dumps / Rosa Maria Rodriguez”