English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
At 56, Enrique Babastro Batista, a native of Guantanamo, admits having been one of those kids who joined the human tide growing up under slogans, sheltered by the “bright future” that engaged his generation from the speakers’ platforms and posters with which they redesigned the urban environment of Cuba in the sixties of last century. … Continue reading “Sailor on Land / Miguel Iturria Savón”
The news that Abel Prieto, minister of culture had been ousted from his job has been suggested for more than a month by the blogger Yoani Sanchez. All indications are that Abel was given the opportunity to close the Book Fair where he shared, with the former Cuban president, a meeting with numerous intellectuals. Abel … Continue reading “Goodbye, Abel / Reinaldo Escobar”
Translator’s note: This interview is from the digital magazine Cubaencuentro, from November 14, 2011. It was conducted by Luis Manuel García Méndez. We interviewed Alexis Romay, a graduate of The City University of New York’s master’s program in Spanish Language and Literature, author of the novel Salidas de emergencia (Emergency Exits) and the poetry collection … Continue reading “Cuba Archive Truth and Memory Project / Alexis Romay”
Some might think that luck came to the aid of a beleaguered Fidel Castro, when back in 1998, the island economy was going down with an industry crippled by lack of oil, exports were in the toilet, finances in the red, international debt swelling, and expenditures of billions of dollars to feed 11 million Cubans … Continue reading “Hugo Chavez: Fidel Castro’s Bet / Iván García”
Years ago, when the Granma newspaper opened its Letters to the Editor Section, devoting two pages once a week (Friday), some people thought that, albeit rather belatedly, a small opportunity had been opened to state our views publicly on the various problems facing the nation. The passage of time proved us wrong. I wrote two … Continue reading “Letters to the Editor / Fernando Dámaso”
A few yards from the Plaza de San Francisco are the glamorous display windows of the Via Uno store. Leather shoes with spike heels, a bit useless for the uneven sidewalks of Havana. Pleated bags with gilt edges which seem to hold the world, to have room for the whole city. Curious people stop in … Continue reading “Boutique / Yoani Sánchez”
by Yoaxis Marcheco Suarez I was a teenager of sixteen and was in the eleventh grade, I was happy to study and work hard to achieve good grades, I was nearing the university and needed, in addition to good marks, to be endorsed by the Communist Party of the center where I was studying, the … Continue reading “PEOPLE IN MEMORY: The Teacher of Marxism / Mario Barroso”
After 6 in the evening, Carlos, 48, looks distractedly at his fold Seiko, and takes a swig from a large Corona beer. He’s dressed in light blue vented Bermudas, Nike shoes that cost $120, and a shirt with the face of Messi, the Argentine star of the Barcelona football team. Right now, from his iPhone, … Continue reading “Havana and its Small Businesses / Iván García”
The Interests Section of Cuba in Washington D.C. has called the first National Meeting of Cuban Residents in the United States of America for April 28, which will involve a representation of Cubans who are “linked to their country in a respectful manner, aware of the urgency to defend its sovereignty and national identity.” This … Continue reading “Opening to the Diaspora / Dimas Castellanos”
Yaremis Flores The Supreme Popular Court foresees an increase in competition from the Municipal Courts during this current year 2012. This reform was predicted in the setting of meetings between professional judges and involves the integration of crimes with penalties ranging from three to eight years, to the understanding of municipal authorities According to current … Continue reading “The High Court predicts an increase in competition from the Municipal Courts / Yaremis Flores”
Yesterday, February 23, 2012, for a second time, Cuban TV has honored me by exposing my image — along with those of several other independent journalists and dissidents — in the national news. The previous occasion occurred months ago, during an unfortunate program televised through the famously dull Roundtable, regarding an alleged cyberwar that the … Continue reading “Declaration of Principles / Miriam Celaya”
[Title]Would this be the T-shirt that could resolve the problem? [T-Shirt text”] Police and National Guard: I do not support AT ALL these T-Shirts that say that THIS REVOLUTION IS SHIT, and what’s more, I think they’re horrible, OK?” ARTURO, THE BRIGHTEST STAR At the launch of the magazine Criterios number 37, on February 28 … Continue reading “The Public Sphere In Cuba, Without the Public / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
Translator’s note: This article appeared in the Havana Times two days ago in Spanish and has not yet appeared in its English edition. Following is an English translation prepared on HemosOido.com, which will certainly differ in some respects — as all translations do — from the one ultimately posted in the Havana Times. UPDATE — … Continue reading “POOR LITTLE DESIDERIO, HELD HOSTAGE IN A CHRISTMARX TOWER / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
I was touched by the news in the foreign press, recently, commenting on the welcome under the American Cuban Adjustment Act of the slugger Agustín Marquetti* who, already in his old age, chose the wisest decision: “What I have left to live for will be smiling,” like the lyrics of a famous bolero. Marquetti, a … Continue reading “It’s Never Too Late… / Rebeca Monzo”
Yaremis Flores Amparo awoke in the room while a tube scraped against her throat. Endoscopy, a delicate and risky technique which they performed without adequate anesthetic. This 55-year-old woman used to be Doctor Gonzalez. Something’s up and she knows it but her colleagues can’t find what. She is now the patient in bed 33, room … Continue reading “Unusual Experiences at Hospital Nacional / Yaremis Flores”
