Not only has it been home to many world famous writers–cradle for some, foster home for others–but it has also sets the stage for some well-known pieces of literature, including Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea and Graham Greene’s Our Man in Havana being two samples of that. Many Cuban authors have lived or live abroad –mostly after the 1959 revolution–, some of them even writing in the languages of their foster countries and thus becoming part of those countries’ literature. But, what is poetry but an act of independence. A cry, a manifesto. The small archipelago, always giving pearls to the world. And, of course, this won’t be the last we hear about it.
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A Cuban Red Carpet: Cuban Stars in Hollywood
The list of Cuban actors is not short. Some of the most iconic faces on the big screen are of Cuban origin. Most people know names like Andy Garcia, Eva Mendes, or even Cameron Diaz; but there are more Cuban actors that have made their way to Hollywood.
Heredia: La novela de su vida
José Martí le otorgó a José María Heredia el título de Primer Poeta de América por la grandeza de sus versos, transidos de un profundo carácter identitario cubano. Martí desde su dimensión, aquilata los aciertos y desmanes de la poética herediana, contenidos en un discurso y un ensayo, ambos titulados Heredia. Del discurso pronunciado el 30 de noviembre de 1889, en el Hardman Hall de Nueva York, durante un homenaje a Heredia pertenecen los fragmentos usados en este trabajo.
“La tremenda corte”, patrimonio de Cuba
“La tremenda corte” ha contribuido, después de más de setenta años de su salida al aire, a mantener unida a la familia latinoamericana, a la hora del almuerzo o en la cena, en los momentos de su transmisión.
Counting Obejas
Whenever I can’t sleep, I count obejas. Not sheep. No ovejas. Obejas. Achy Obejas, to be precise. Though her stories could provoke insomnia for sure. They’re tough stories, punching stories. Uppercuts. They hit you in the middle of the eye. They hit you in the middle of the nose. They break your jaw. They break your mouth. They hit you in the middle of the chest. They break you. In the inside.
Santa y Andrés: A Bridge of Controversy
Much like the Cuban jazz music exploding from Andrés’ radio, art births color and hope into every environment, even into those societies under the burdensome fist of dictatorship. When the world seems grey and stripped of all passion, art is the brave dove that delivers light and energy, inspiring people to fight, to rise, and to give voice to their discontent. Music and film connects all cultures, lending humanity to those in inhumane situations, and building bridges instead of walls.
Embargo: An Old Question Nobody Wants to Answer
Cuba is a complicated issue, and one that has lasted too long. Why has this situation lasted that long? Here’s a good question. “Trying the same thing once and again, and every time expecting different results, that’s madness,” someone says.
Before Night Falls: An Opera
Now, more than ten years after the memoir was published, the Florida Grand Opera presents an opera entitled Before Night Falls from March 18-25 at The Adrienne Arsht center on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. Written by Jorge Martín and directed by David Gately, Before Night Falls is a stunning musical depiction of Reinaldo Arenas’ life and memories.
El derecho de llorar con Félix B. Caignet
Félix B. Caignet dio en el centro del sentimentalismo o la sentimentalidad popular desde su empirismo. Su paternidad de la radionovela y la radio comedia infantil de continuidad (Buenas tardes, muchachitos), entre otras muchas contribuciones, lo hacen merecedor de un puesto de honor dentro de la cultura cubana; en la literatura, en las artes.
José Ángel Buesa: “Amamos porque sí, sencillamente”
Con profunda melancolía, José Ángel Buesa le escribe a usted, señora, o le habla al amor tardío. Le canta al amor que busca o al amor lejano, al amor loco o al mal amor. Se despide de su amada o renuncia a ella. Le dedica versos al fracaso y escribe un poema a la culpa.
José Martí, hombre enamorado
Del Martí que deseo hablarles hoy, es del hombre enamorado, del hombre que amó y fue amado por tres mujeres importantes en su vida.
