Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara Will be Tried for ‘Property Damage’

14ymedio, Havana, 3 March 2020 — Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara will be tried in a “summary trial” to be held in less than ten days, according to the members of the San Isidro Movement of which the artist is a member. The movement denounced the coming trial. The authorities arrested Otero Alcantara last Sunday afternoon … Continue reading “Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara Will be Tried for ‘Property Damage’”

Why Am I Not Going to the XIII Havana Biennial?

14ymedio, Tania Bruguera, Havana, 14 April 2019 — Before giving my reasons I want to clarify that I admire the work of the curators of La Bienal de La Habana and I do not consider any of my reasons to be their responsibility. Rather, they are a response to the cultural policies of the Ministry of … Continue reading “Why Am I Not Going to the XIII Havana Biennial?”

14ymedio’s Faces of 2018

14ymedio, Havana, 24 December 2018 — At the end of each year, 14ymedio presents a list of the names of people or groups who have left their mark on the twelve months that have just ended. They are the faces that embody the most important events that took place in Cuba from across the political spectrum, in the arts, … Continue reading “14ymedio’s Faces of 2018”

A Clandestine Work for Freedom of Expression

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Miami, 3 November 2018 — Teatro Kairós continues to defy censorship and police repression. After months of rehearsals and study, last weekend he premiered Patriotism 36-77, directed by actress Lynn Cruz, in the abandoned buildings of the former Circus School of the Higher Institute of Art. Cruz told 14ymedio that “when the news came out of Decree … Continue reading “A Clandestine Work for Freedom of Expression”

Theater in the Name of Freedom / Lynn Cruz

Lynn Cruz, Havana Times, 1 November 2018 – Like the feeling you have when a baby you’ve been longing to have finally arrives, I was overcome by the same emotion after Patriotismo 36-77 made its debut. More than half a year went past until it could finally hit the stage. The idea for the play was conceived … Continue reading “Theater in the Name of Freedom / Lynn Cruz”

Ángel Santiesteban: "Europe has left us alone to confront the dictators" / Amir Valle, Ángel Santiesteban

Deutsche Welle, Amir Valle with Angel Santiesteban, 18 September 2018 — Invited to the International Festival of Literature in Berlin, the Cuban writer Ángel Santiesteban speaks with Deutsche Welle (“DW”) and criticizes the passivity of the European Union and international public opinion in the face of the tragic situations in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Considered one of the … Continue reading “Ángel Santiesteban: "Europe has left us alone to confront the dictators" / Amir Valle, Ángel Santiesteban”

Cuba and the End of the Historical Generation

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 24 September 2018 — Nearly 60 years after its triumph, the Cuban Revolution today does not resemble what it was or what it pretended to be. In almost six decades, those bearded youth who came down from the mountains went from generating dreams to provoking fear or apathy. Their formula for staying in … Continue reading “Cuba and the End of the Historical Generation”

Cuban Government Fights Another Unfair Battle Against Artists / Lynn Cruz

Lynn Cruz, Havana Times, 7 September 2018 — Even though I have written about the possible causes that led to a decree-law being written up which criminalizes art, and even though I have resisted forming part of an entertainment policy which has made Cubans travel along the tree’s branches instead of going directly to the trunk, … Continue reading “Cuban Government Fights Another Unfair Battle Against Artists / Lynn Cruz”

Persecution of Cuban Artists and Intellectuals Gains Legal Framework / Lynn Cruz

Havana Times, Lynn Cruz, 17 July 2018 — Everybody knows that there has been a upswing of repression and censorship of artists here in Cuba. Within its institutions and recently, censorship of the film “Quiero hacer una pelicula” (I Want to Make A Movie) by Yimit Ramirez, during the previous edition of ICAIC’s Young Filmmakers’ Festival. … Continue reading “Persecution of Cuban Artists and Intellectuals Gains Legal Framework / Lynn Cruz”

Open Letter to All the Cuban Artists and Intellectuals

14ymedio, Sandra Ceballos, Havana | 14 August 2018 – Cuban artists and intellectuals have to unite. Cuban artists and intellectuals can not remain passive in the face of such ignominy and repression. In many parts of the world people have the right to disagree and demand justice, demand modifications and changes. There is also the … Continue reading “Open Letter to All the Cuban Artists and Intellectuals”

Poetry That Disobeys and Sings / Luis Felipe Rojas

The Poet Jorge Valls read his verses with Janisset Rivero. Photo: W. Cruz. Six Cuban poets in Miami gathered under the banner of Disobedient Poetry to read their poems on the night of April 25. Jorge Valls was once again the child who retraced the plains of his country and remembered his mother, along with … Continue reading “Poetry That Disobeys and Sings / Luis Felipe Rojas”

The First Stage of Cuban Childhood Education / Dora Leonor Mesa #Cuba

In 1961, with the creation of Children’s Circles (Daycare Centers/State Nurseries), the Cuban Pre-school Educational System is created. Until that time,there existed in the country approximately 300 initial education centers, essentially for children 5-6-years-old. In 1980, per Resolution 577, regulations for Daycare Centers are created, and in 1981, per Resolution 430, a new scholastic curriculum … Continue reading “The First Stage of Cuban Childhood Education / Dora Leonor Mesa #Cuba”

Double Immunity / Cuban Law Association, E. Javier Hernandez #Cuba

By Lic. E. Javier Hernández Parallel to our inefficient system of managing the economy, also cracked, flawed and inefficient is the functioning of many of the the organs of the state administration at all levels, validating the principle of “poor economic foundation, poor superstructure above”; the latter linked to the negative performance of management officials … Continue reading “Double Immunity / Cuban Law Association, E. Javier Hernandez #Cuba”

Some Notes Without too Much Value About Values / Regina Coyula

The launch last Thursday of the latest issue of the Cuban magazine Temas dedicated to the question “Values in Crisis?” brought together a heterogeneous audience that, in addition to its habitual followers, also included to my enjoyment young faces, perhaps attracted to the presence among the invited guests of Israel Rojas, the popular singer from … Continue reading “Some Notes Without too Much Value About Values / Regina Coyula”

Global Bestiary / Ernesto Morales Licea

I. A Happy World China, North Korea and Cuba, in that order, are the three happiest nations on the planet. In the “Top Five” they are followed by Iran in the 4th position, and Venezuela, number 5. The most agonizingly unhappy of all countries is the United States, which scored just three points out of … Continue reading “Global Bestiary / Ernesto Morales Licea”