full events guide

Transcription

full events guide

jan
In co-operation with
2015
December 17, 2014
A day that will
go down in history
The best 20 Cuban books
of the past 20 years
Wendy Guerre: Havana’s
literary darling
CUBAN LITERARY ISSUE
HAVANA GUIDE
RESTAURANTS — BARS & CLUBS — ACCOMMODATION
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Photo by Alex Mene of men catching fish in Cojímar
EDITORIAL
Cover picture by Alex Mene in Plaza
de la Revolución, December 20, 2014
[This is a remake of this photo from
the 1960’s]
December 17, 2014 began like any other day—kids getting ready for school, adults heading
to their jobs, moms making breakfast, elders going out to buy bread and the newspaper…
Nothing indicated that the regular daily routine would be broken that day. But around midmorning, my neighbor started banging on my door and in a voice choked with emotion told
me that Cuba was releasing Alan Gross and that the United States would do the same thing
with Gerardo, Tony and Ramón, the three Cuban Five that still remained in US prisons.
The road is long, complex, risky… The questions are many and the possible answers,
infinite. There are few guarantees and many uncertainties. But today, I only wish to enjoy
this different day, a happy day for my people, for the families of the prisoners who were
released. A day that will go down in history!
This issue is dedicated to Cuban literature in recognition of Cuba’s growing influence in
the world of literature, which this month sees Cuba’s premier literary event. This issues
features interviews with three of Cuba’s best contemporary writers: Pedro Juan Gutiérrez,
Leonardo Padura and Wendy Guerra. We also have included a piece on the late Gabriel
García Márquez and his long-standing relationship with Cuba.
January is a beautiful time to visit Cuba. You may need to hurry up with your reservation
since the No Vacancy sign has been already hung up on many hotels and private houses and
you will need to book ahead for the best restaurants.
Finally, in this month of change, it is worth pausing to commemorate José Martí, who
was born in 1853, on Paula Street in Havana, in the house that is currently marked with
number 314. Poet, journalist, orator, essayist, translator, José Martí is not only the most
significant literary figure of the 19th century in Cuba, he was also the organizer of the
Cuban Revolutionary Party against Spanish colonialism.
January 2015 Highlights (Havana, unless stated)
* January 1: Anniversary of the Revolution
* January 7-11: Festival de la Trova Longina (Santa Clara)
* January 20: Casa de las Américas Literary Prize
* January 27: Marcha de las Antorchas
* January 28: Birthday of José Martí
Thanks to all of our contributors, sponsors, partners and readers. Do please keep providing
us with your feedback, comments and suggestions. All enquiries should be directed to
Sophia Beckman at [email protected]. All the best. Viva Cuba!
Photo by Vanotti of the British warship entering Havana harbour, December 2014
JANUARY 2015
A day that will go down in history p8
CUBAN
LITERATURE
HAVANA LISTINGS
January 20: Casa de las Americas Prize p10
García Márquez still walks with me p12
Pedro Juan Gutiérrez: A mythical figure p15
Leonardo Padura and his alter ego Mario Conde p17
Wendy Guerre: Havana’s literary darling p19
Cien botellas en la pared p21
The 20 must-read Cuban books from the past 20 years
p22
Visual Arts p31 — Photography p34 — Dance p35 —
Music p36 — Theatre p43 — For Kids p45
HISTORY &
CULTURE
January 27, 2015 La March de la antorchas p50
January 28, 1853: Birth of José Martí p52
TRAVEL
HM7 p60
HAVANA GUIDE
Features — Restaurants — Bars & Clubs — Live Music —
Hotels — Private Accommodation p62
A day that will go down in history
by Victoria Alcalá
December 17, 2014 began like any other day—kids
getting ready for school, adults heading to their
jobs, moms making breakfast, elders going out to
buy bread and the newspaper… Nothing indicated
that the regular daily routine would be broken that
day.
But around mid-morning, my neighbor started
banging on my door and in a voice choked with
emotion told me that Cuba was releasing Alan
Gross and that the United States would do the same
thing with Gerardo, Tony and Ramón, the three
Cuban Five that still remained in US prisons. Aware
that my placid neighbor does not drink alcoholic
beverages so early in the morning, I asked him for
the source of the news. “Telesur,” he said, and I
diligently rushed and tuned in on that TV channel.
There, Gross’s arrival in the US shared the screen
with a speech by a Latin American president (I can’t
remember which) at the Mercosur meeting, and a
few minutes later, President Cristina Fernández
de Kirchner, who was visibly moved, announced
the release of the Cuban prisoners and that the
governments of Cuba and the United States would
normalize their diplomatic relations.
I have to admit that the first news did not allow
me to assimilate the second one and I couldn’t
contain the tears thinking the happiness that
mothers, wives, sons and daughters, brothers and
sisters, and friends—from both sides of the Florida
Straits—were experiencing at that moment. But
the Argentinian President also disclosed that Raúl
Castro and Barack Obama would be speaking at
noon. It was 11 o’clock and that was the longest
hour in my life.
At 12 sharp, Raúl, completely composed, without
letting his feelings show, announced that the
Cuban prisoners, for whom so many people had
fought all over the world, had arrived on Cuban
soil and that the governments of Cuba and the
US would reestablish diplomatic relations. And
then, I saw Obama on Telesur ratifying that his
country was changing its relations with the Cuban
people. And then I understood that what Cristina
Fernández had said was not wishful thinking but a
reality.
An explosion of adrenaline shook my home, my
street, my neighborhood, my city, my country.
Tears, laughter, cheers… The reflections of the
middle-aged ran along the path of emotions: “Fidel
should have been the one to break the news.” “I’m
glad it was Raúl after all these hard years.” “It’s a
good thing Fidel is alive to see this!” The young
people, in tune with the times, ran to IM or chat
with their friends scattered around the world. The
.COM With a passion for Cuba
contents
PAGE
8
more pragmatic began to imagine how the words of an inscrutable Castro and a smiling Obama would
influence their existence, their decisions, their future.
That day, people stopped working at their offices, their factories. The optimistic envisaged that the
end of the embargo was just around the corner ,while others, like me, thought that this was just the
beginning of a long road although we can already see a light at the end. Some started to joke about
California apples and wine for Christmas, or gave thanks to Saint Lazarus, whose feast day was being
celebrated on that day, for his intercession. There were questions, too: How will life be without the
embargo? Can we look to the future without fearing that a family member may need a certain drug and
we cannot get hold of it because it’s made in the U.S.? Will I be able to send cigars to my uncle with their
bands and labels and in their original boxes unafraid of its Cuban origin? Will we be ready to abandon
the land-under-siege mentality? Will future U.S. governments coexist in a civilized manner with such a
different neighbor?
The road is long, complex, risky… The questions are many and the possible answers, infinite. There are
few guarantees and many uncertainties. But today, I only wish to enjoy this different day, a happy day
for my people, for the families of the prisoners who were released; a complex day for the presidents of
both countries. A day that will go down in history!
CONTINUE TO READ FULL ARTICLE + SLIDESHOW
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9
premio
Casa de las
Américas2015
56th Casa de las Américas Literary Award
Initiated in Havana in 1960 to draw attention to
the most significant literary production in Latin
America—and at a later date, the Caribbean, too—
in the genres of poetry, novel, short story, essay,
theatre and testimony, as well as works in other
languages spoken in the region, the Casa de las
Américas Literary Award has gathered outstanding
figures of contemporary writing, including Miguel
Ángel Asturias, Mario Vargas Llosa, Julio Cortázar,
Alejo Carpentier, Allen Ginsberg, Nicolás Guillén,
Nicanor Parra, Jaime Sabines, Alfredo Bryce
Echenique, Guillermo Cabrera Infante, Eduardo
Galeano, Paco Ignacio Taibo II, José Lezama Lima,
Italo Calvino, Camilo José Cela, José Saramago, to
name a few.
January 19-29, 2015
Casa de las Américas
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Throughout the years, many of the prize-winning
works have become classics of the continent’s
literature; thus, each year’s announcement
creates great expectations among the public, who
also have the opportunity to attend collateral
activities programmed during the event. The jury
usually sessions in the city of Cienfuegos, where
its members hold lectures and readings of their
works.
Prizes for unpublished works in the genres of novel,
poetry, and essay on a historic-social theme, and
literature for children and teenagers will be given
out during the 56th Casa de las Américas Literary
Award. A Prize for Literature in the United States
will also be granted this year.
Casa de las Américas will also pay homage to
Julio Cortáza, Argentine novelist, short story
writer and essayist, who is considered one of the
most innovative and original writers of his time.
2014 Premio Casa de las Américas
Prizes for unpublished works in the genres of short
story, theater and essay were presented during
the 55th Casa de las Américas Literary Award. A
Prize for Studies on Women was also granted
this in 2014. Authors from the English speaking
Caribbean also participated with works written in
English or Creole and published in those languages
from 2012-2013, as well as nonfiction Brazilian
works written in Portuguese and published in that
language from 2010-2013.
Casa de las Américas also gave out three honorary
prizes—the José Lezama Lima Prize for Poetry; the
José María Arguedas Prize for Narrative; and the
Ezequiel Martínez Estrada Prize for Essay. The
prizes were awarded to significant works written
by a Latin American author, whose first editions
were published in Spanish from 2011 to 2012.
Winners of the 2014 Premio Casa de las Américas:
Short story: Cosas peores by Margarita García
Robayo (Colombia)
Theater: Blanco con sangre negra by
Alejandro Román Bahena (Mexico)
Prize for Essay on an Artistic and Literary
Theme: José Lezama Lima: estética e
historiografía del arte en su obra crítica by
Carlos Orlando Fino Gómez (Colombia)
Brazilian Literature: Marighella: o guerrilheiro
que incendiou o mund by Mário Magalhães
Caribbean Literature: Fear of a Black Nation Race, Sex, and Security in Sixties Montreal by
David Austin (Jamaica)
Prize for Studies on Women: La loca
inconfirmable. Apropiaciones feministas de
Manuela Sáenz by Mariana Libertad Suárez
(Venezuela)
José Lezama Lima Prize for Poetry:
Explicaciones no pedidas by Piedad Bonnett
(Colombia)
José María Arguedas Prize for Narrative:
Arrecife by Juan Villoro (Mexico)
Ezequiel Martínez Estrada Prize for Essay: Che
Guevara y el debate económico en Cuba by
Luiz Bernardo Pericás (Brazil)
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PAGE
11
García Márquez
STILL WALKS WITH ME
by Victoria Alcalá
In the 1960s, I was absolutely convinced that good
literature came from Europe and that writers
like Cervantes, Shakespeare, Goethe, Balzac or
Dostoyevsky could only have been born in the
Old World. When Casa de las Américas published
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Colombian
author Gabriel García Márquez in 1968—a few
months after it was put out in Buenos Aires by
Sudamericana Press—I was at the “school in the
countryside” where the girls from the Víbora High
School were sewing tobacco leaves together to be
hung on long wooden poles for curing inside huge
tobacco houses.
We would come to memorize that unforgettable
first paragraph: “Many years later, as he faced
the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was
to remember that distant afternoon when his
father took him to discover ice ...” and García
Márquez taught us that Latin American reality
could be told through fantasy and magic, but in
an everyday manner. We began to identify legends
and characters with such an objective level of
lived references that it seemed that the Colombian
writer was with us, accompanying us in our lives.
We thought it was impossible to surpass such
precise likelihood filled with so many fantastic
ingredients, without seeming literary fiction but
just one of those stories told by grandmothers.
Somebody got hold of a copy of the novel and the
expectation was so great that we decided that one
of us would read while the others continued to
sew tobacco leaves. We all agreed to do the work
of our chosen reader, who kept us in suspense
with the vicissitudes of the many generations of
the Buendía family. Thanks to this unique book, we
discovered that literature and writers could also
come from Latin America. This first experience led
us to pursue and eventually enjoy the writings of
Julio Cortázar, Mario Vargas Llosa, Carlos Fuentes,
Mario Benedetti and we even pored over the works
of Alejo Carpentier who, despite being Cuban, did
not count as one of our favorites.
I looked for other books written by García
Márquez and I read his novellas No One Writes
to the Colonel and Leaf Storm, his novel Evil
Hour and the Macondo narratives Litter and Evil
Hour. I enjoyed the suspense, the unsurpassed
description, the humor and rawness of Chronicle
of a Death Foretold. I participated in the debate
over the controversial, historical novel The
General in His Labyrinth, which surprised and
even offended many people because it demystified
Bolivar, a hero that the official story had removed
from the category of ordinary people. And I was
moved by the The Autumn of the Patriarch, a fable
on the solitude of power.
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PAGE 12
The then young journalist Gabriel García Márquez
arrived on the island after the triumph of the
Revolution to work in the newly created news
agency Prensa Latina. Here he met Fidel and
Che, and has stated that his relationship with the
Cuban leader was largely based on discussions
about literature, that it was an “intellectual
friendship.” It is clear, however, that his friendship
with Fidel went beyond cultural interests and was
based on common ethical principles and political
sympathies, to the point of having experienced,
not many years ago, the exciting and strange
adventure of being a sort of liaison between Fidel
and President Bill Clinton in super-secret dealings.
The Colombian novelist, who was also a lover
of film, was a key contributor to the creation of
the International Film School of San Antonio de
los Baños and to the Foundation of New Latin
American Cinema, not only with his influence and
convening power, but with his direct involvement,
having taught courses on script writing at the
school. His relationship with Cuba was not limited
to cultural institutions, such as ICAIC and Casa
de las Americas. He was friends with intellectuals,
artists and people from all walks of life who started
calling him Gabo quite naturally, like his closest
friends.
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PAGE 13
I thought that after One Hundred Years of Solitude,
Gabo could not shake us again as he did in our
youth. But in 1986, Love in the Time of Cholera
was published in Cuba. Not only did I make the
longest line—which went around the block—in my
life to buy a book, I again memorized complete
fragments of a novel. My favorite one is the one
that says that “the heart has more rooms than a
whorehouse.”
Although Gabriel García Márquez’s end was a
“death foretold,” it took me by surprise and I
was saddened as if I had lost a family member.
Selfishly, I thought: “No longer will I be able to
wait eagerly for a new book written by him.” But I
take comfort in knowing that every time I reread
any of his books, there will be new discoveries
in store for me and I will experience once again
those youthful days when in a tobacco house, one
remote afternoon, Gabo took me to discover Latin
American literature.
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PAGE 14
Pedro Juan Gutiérrez: A mythical figure
by Ricardo Alberto Perez
Pedro Juan Gutiérrez (Matanzas, 1950) is one of
the great mythical figures in contemporary Cuban
literature, particularly abroad where paradoxically
he is better known and promoted than in his own
country. He graduated from the University of
Havana in 1978 in Journalism and worked for many
years in that profession. By the end of the 1990s,
his books were beginning to attain recognition
and currently his narrations have been published
in approximately 23 languages.
In his Trilogía sucia de La Habana [Dirty Havana
Trilogy] (1998), made up by Anclado en tierra de
nadie (Anchored in No-Man’s Land), Nada que
hacer (Nothing to Do) and Sabor a mí (The Taste
of Me, Gutierrez navigates through complex
situations that life has etched into his memory,
showing his ability to mediate between pain and
the possibility of transforming it into lucidity. The
narrative reveals an intense and localized Havana,
specifically the densely populated downtown area
of Centro Habana. It is a location that struggles
with memories of time past and also with its own
aging and deterioration.
Above all, the book deals with Centro Habana in
the 1990s, submerged in the precariousness of
existence from the lack of electricity to the shortage
of food. That is Pedro Juan’s habitat, perfect for
showing borderline situations that contribute
much flavor to his prose. It possesses a strong,
spontaneous identity that helps it resist the most
unpredictable of assaults. It also has the Malecón,
the city’s marvelous “balcony” overlooking the sea,
which provides human beings the chance to fill
their lungs with hope.
Language, behavior, the speed with which things
happen, precariousness and, particularly, a gallery
of odors ranging from the most seductive to the
most repulsive, may make us think of a regional
prose, the literature that one district is able to
contribute to national literature.
His work has been classified as “dirty realism” since
Gutierrez moves in a style that refuses to apply
any sort of whitewash. This narrative strategy of
his is also visible in El Rey de La Habana (The King
of Havana) (1999), Animal tropical (Tropical Animal)
(2000), El insaciable hombre araña (The Insatiable
Spider-man) (2002) and Carne de perro (Dog Meat)
(2003).
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PAGE 15
His major forte lies in knowing how to put together
a rich and chaotic universe as seen from one point
in the city. Many of the characters in this universe
are people wandering around without a plan,
seeking some scrap of salvation in any way they
can. The narrator almost always becomes one of
the characters, if not the main one, and with his
tolerant attitude commits to the other characters.
Throughout his literary oeuvre, Pedro Juan
Gutiérrez has firmly inserted himself into an
area of Cuban literature that dynamites its way
through prejudices and false poses. It does not
fear marginality; indeed, it uses it as a source. This
prose acknowledges its Cuban roots in the work
of an author such as Carlos Montenegro and it
passes through others such as Reinaldo Arenas
and Guillermo Vidal.
His stories are generally peopled by sexually
available men and women who are capable of
driving some foreigner (or Cuban) crazy. The
myth of Cuban sexuality has become one of our
trademarks and has grown uncontrollably. This
sexuality is emphasized when it is compared with
others and can be seen in Animal Tropical where
friction between the worlds of Sweden and Havana
are made clear. Generally, the origin of these
conflicts is autobiographical since Pedro Juan
Gutiérrez enters and leaves his Island creating a
relationship of dependence and rejection that uses
language as its ally.
Gutierrez’ poetry is another important facet of
his work: it is reflexive and profoundly spiritual
as seen beautifully in his Arrastrando hojas secas
hacia la oscuridad (Dragging Dry Leaves towards
Obscurity).
Picturesque, educated, without taking on additional
poses, whenever he is not being called upon for
some literary event or traveling abroad to promote
his work, he can be generally seen crossing some
street in downtown Havana, soaking up the human
panorama that inspires him.
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PAGE 16
Leonardo Padura
AND HIS ALTER EGO MARIO CONDE
by Ricardo Alberto Pérez
When I first decided to insert myself—incurably—into the world of literature, I heard
someone say that to write, you have to have obsessions. With the passage of time, I have
come to believe that these obsessions are a necessary part of the creative process. Ideas that
follow you like a lost puppy often uncover and unlock an intense subjective universe. Here
we seek to uncover the obsessions of Leonardo Padura Fuentes, one of the most recognized
Cuban authors in the Spanish-speaking world and beyond.
Padura was born in the outlying Havana district of Mantilla where he still lives. He studied Spanish
American Literature at the University of Havana before he published his first novel, Fiebre de Caballos
[Horse Fever], in 1983. Padura was not always a novelist. He spent a considerable part of his life as a
journalist, writing for the cultural magazine El Caimán Barbudo and the newspaper Juventud Rebelde
where his articles were highly anticipated by his faithful readers. Padura’s skill as a journalist—writing
about diverse figures from the famous pimp during the republican period Alberto Yarini to the
extraordinary conga player Chano Pozo—helped him in developing his complex characters.
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PAGE 17
Padura has written many different kinds of novels,
from love stories to historical fiction. Two of his
most famous novels, La historia de mi vida [The
Story of My Life] and El hombre que amaba los perros
[The Man who Loved Dogs] represent his attempt
at the latter. While La historia de mi vida presents
the life of the Cuban poet José María Heredia, El
hombre que amaba los perros centers on the true
story of Ramón Mercader, Trotsky’s murderer,
who lived the last years of his life in Cuba. His
latest book, El hombre que amaba los perros (2009),
has been well received among readers and critics
alike, garnering several awards in Italy, France, and
Cuba.
It is impossible to talk about Padura’s work
without discussing his most notable character,
Mario Conde, a detective who differs significantly
from the official public image that has prevailed
of Cuban policemen. Conde is slovenly, often
drunk, and discontent in his career, as he had
always wanted to be a writer. But Conde is more
than just a simple character. He is, according to
Padura, a reflection of the material and spiritual
hardships that his generation has had to endure.
You can read Conde’s story in one of Padura’s
many detective novels, including Pasado perfecto
[Past Perfect] (1991), Vientos de Cuaresma [Lent
Winds] (1994), Máscaras [Masks] (1997), Paisaje de
otoño [Autumn Scenery] (1998), Adiós Hemingway
[Goodbye Hemingway] (2001) and La neblina del
ayer [The Mist of the Past] (2005).
From a journalist to a well-known author, Leonardo
Padura is an authentic Cuban who loves to sit down
and talk. Whether defending the right for Cuban
writers and artists in the face of censorship or
defending his pet baseball team, the Industriales,
Padura is an articulate intellectual.
contents
PAGE 18
Photo by Yadira Montero
Wendy Guerra, Havana’s literary darling
by Margaret Atkins
We meet Wendy at Le Chansonnier in Vedado, a
favorite haunt of Havana artists. She is wearing a
simple, impeccably white blouse. Straight dark hair
with youthful bangs that go well with her overall
appearance. She is petite, thin. Her smile is joyful
but her eyes are sad. She talks fluidly and naturally,
her words springing forth easily and precisely.
Her books have not been published in Cuba for
several years now. For many people, Wendy is
no more than a memory of a child who narrated
children’s stories on TV’s Buenos Días, the first
morning news program on Cuban television. There
were some rumors that she had been successful as
a writer and, for those of us living on the island, we
are fortunate that in 2013 the Letras Cubanas Press
has published Posar desnuda en La Habana, a novel
that reconstructs the Cuban sojourn of the Frenchborn writer Anaïs Nin, taking the format of an
apocryphal diary. The book is going to be presented
at the 2014 Havana Book Fair. Wendy gives us a copy
and I devour it on the way home. I read as I walk, I
read on the bus, I read it in the kitchen and, when I
have finished, I want more.
At home we have a copy of her first volume of poetry,
Platea a oscuras, published in 1987 when she was just
16 years old, at a time when she already revealed
precocious nostalgia in her style. Once again, the
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PAGE 19
the gregarious lifestyle of many of us Cubans (rural
schools, production jobs, school residences that
have great numbers of students living together),
Wendy believes that a little peace and quiet is
needed, some individuality if you will.
sad eyes. She has written about death, incest,
sex, love, poverty, opulence, orphans, despair, art,
racism, feminism and femininity.
Wendy admits that she is a darling of the market.
Her books have been translated into thirteen
languages and they are always sold out. She is
deeply in love with poetry and she tells us that
whenever someone calls themselves a good poet, as
she does, almost always they are good people. But
above anything else, she confesses that she loves
being with herself. Reading, thinking, writing. After
It was Gabriel García Márquez who gave Wendy’s
literary career its first boost: “He told me to forget
about the movies and write pure, hard literature,” she
tells us. Time would prove the Nobel laureate right.
In 2006 her first novel Todos se van was published
and received the Bruguera Press Award for that year.
Translated into French, Italian, German, Bulgarian,
Swedish and English and printed in the US, it was
chosen by Latino Author Review of the United States
as one of the nine best books of the year. In 2008
she published Nunca fui Primera Dama (Bruguera
Press, Barcelona) and in 2011, Posar desnuda en La
Habana. Diario apócrifo de Anaïs Nin (Alfaguara
Press, Mexico). She tells us she is now working on
Negra, a new novel dealing with racism, something
that has never been totally eradicated from Cuban
society, which still carries baggage from the scourge
of slavery in the sugar cane plantations.
I’m anxious to get a copy of this new book and, as
we say good-bye, I have the urge to wonder one
more time what secrets lie behind that somewhat
childlike appearance. Perhaps her new novel will
reveal the mystery.
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PAGE 20
Cien botellas en una pared
by John Dew
This drawing was inspired by the most stunning and beautifully written novel published in
Cuba in the last ten years, “Cien Botellas en una Pared,” by the prizewinning young Cuban
novelist Ena Lucía Portela. Published in 2002, it has been translated into French, but not
yet into English (see note). It paints a sharp, compelling tragicomic picture of the heroine’s
progress from school in the 1980s to maturity in the 1990s, against the background of a
mansion long given over to multi occupation in Havana’s louche but still distinguished
Vedado district.
The drawing shows the house on what the heroine
calls “happy hammer corner.” Like everywhere in
Havana, somebody is always banging and tapping,
dividing floors and putting shacks on the roof,
“inventing” yet more living space.
You can see the young heroine with her schoolfriends Linda and Yadelis (bottom right), and later
with her abusive lover Moisés in the window (top
left) from which he falls, thanks to the mysterious
Alix (swinging from the parapet), to an entirely
timely death. Other characters shown include
the would-be trumpeter Poliester (nobody
can pronounce Dniester, his real name), parish
priest and confessor Padre Ignacio, the drunks
permanently in the hallway and “el Megaterio,” the
fierce dog who terrorises the building.
Notas:, John Dew was British Ambassador to Cuba 2006-2009. The book has since been
translated into French, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Italian, Greek, Turkish and English.
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20 must-read Cuban books from the past 20 years
by Victoria Alcalá ,Updated December 2014
It would be much too risky to list the “best books” of Cuban literature, considered one of the richest
in the Americas. Instead, we have preferred to suggest 20 titles from the past 20 years that we
believe are essential reading in order to gain an understanding of the culture and idiosyncrasy of
the Cuban people.
Alguien tiene que llorar / 1995
[Somebody Has to Cry] , Marilyn Bobes (1955)
Awarded the Premio Casa de las Américas, the short stories that comprise
this volume, with subtle yet implacable depth, delve into the psychology of its
characters: women immersed in the conflicts, doubts and frustrations of a society
headed towards the upsetting material and spiritual changes that defined the
close of the 20th century in Cuba.
El Rey de La Habana / 1999
[The King of Havana] , Pedro Juan Gutiérrez (1950)
Described in Europe as a “tropical Bukowski,” this was the first novel by Gutiérrez,
who had already successfully published his Trilogía sucia de La Habana (Dirty
Havana Trilogy), a collection of three storybooks that share common characters
and situations, unprejudiced views and a language bordering on the obscene,
which have made him a controversial writer. This work, which the author
considers “a study on human cruelty.” he again submerges himself into a marginal
world of unbridled sexuality and hopeless characters that he would continue in his
subsequent novels: Animal tropical, El insaciable hombre araña and Carne de perro,
which are also part of his “Havana Cycle.” Without any advertising, Union Press of
the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba, published El Rey de La Habana
in 2009. The novel was eagerly purchased by Cuban readers, who only had seen
published in Cuba other less famous titles by Gutiérrez.
El vuelo del gato / 1999
[Flight of the Cat] , Abel Prieto (1950)
The lives, sometimes convergent, sometimes divergent, of three high school
friends become the thread of this novel, which, through a gallery of characters
and situations ranging from the hilarious to the tragic, explores Cuba’s rich and
contradictory reality of the 1960s and 70s.
Inventario secreto de La Habana / 2004
[Secret Inventory of Havana] , Abilio Estévez (1954)
The contrast between the heartrending attachment of the Havana-born, 19th
century poet Julián del Casal to his city, whom he loved beyond its misery and
mediocrity, and the never achieved literary utopia of his contemporary José Martí,
also born in Havana but cut off from it since his youth, gives rise to the novel in
which the city of Havana is the main character, either through the sometimes
nostalgic, sometimes unforgiving view of its author, as well as of other Cuban and
international writers and anonymous inhabitants. A mixture of reality and fiction,
it explores the city, mythicized by yearning and memories, but is also evoked in
the harshness of its more somber aspects.
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La neblina del ayer / 2005
[The Mist of the Past]
Leonardo Padura (1955)
Ex-detective Mario Conde, the hero of four earlier successful novels, who has
become a bookseller due to the difficult economic situation in Cuba, driven by the
need to prove his innocence in a crime in which he seems to be implicated, digs
into the nightclub scene of the 1950s and in the hallucinating world of delinquency
of present-day Havana.
Por el camino de la mar o Nosotros los cubanos / 2005
[The Road to the Sea or We Cubans]
Guillermo Rodríguez Rivera (1943)
A collection of essays in which the poet and professor Guillermo Rodríguez Rivera,
with the carefree and humoristic style of colloquialism, delves into significant
aspects of the formation of Cuba’s national identity, either through the vicissitudes
of history or that which is both perceived and reaffirmed in poetry or music.
A substantial, enjoyable and brave text, which is required reading for whoever
wishes to get to know the Cuban people, the elements that have been crucial in
the formation of our idiosyncrasy and the motives of certain behaviors, which, for
an unsuspecting observer, may seem inexplicable.
Las voces y los ecos / 2006
[Voices and Echoes]
Aida Bahr (1958)
The dogmatism, lack of understanding and marginalization that marred the Cuban
cultural world in the 1970s during the period that scholars have called the “grey
quinquennium”—or even decade—is the topic of this novel written in the firstperson about the intellectual, emotional and human development of a young
woman with a strong artistic vocation, who tells her own story and at the same
time ironically questions the aesthetic and stylistic efficiency of her own narrative.
A well-known storyteller, the author makes her debut as a novelist with this work,
which has been very well received by the public and the critics.
Todos se van / 2006
[Everybody Leaves]
Wendy Guerra (1970)
Written in the style of a diary, this novel—sometimes realistic and sometimes
intensely poetic—tells the life story of Nieve Guerra, the loneliness and fears of her
childhood, the time she spent in a reformatory and at the National Art School, her
discovery of sex and, especially, her intense feeling of abandonment, because, as
the author has commented, “I believe that “everybody leaves” all places. Outward,
inward…Some go to the airport, others to the cemetery, and still others leave us
gently or with a slam and consign us directly to oblivion…This is neither a Cuban
issue nor the sentiment of a “generation.”
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En el cielo con diamantes / 2007
[In the Sky with Diamonds]
Senel Paz (1950)
After 17 years away from publishing houses, Paz pout out before the public this
novel, which another successful Cuban writer, Leonardo Padura, considers is “a
novel of sexual initiation, not of one or two characters, but of a whole generation…
also, a novel of the ideological initiation of a human group…This is why, together
with the glory of discovering sex, equal opportunities, the dazzling capital city,
other things also come on the scene—the sordid origins of moral and ideological
deceitfulness, the commentaries in hushed tones and even the absolute silence
that became entrenched and killed the happiness of so many individuals given
historical pressures, orthodoxies and extremisms in different times in the life of
the nation.”
Desde los blancos manicomios / 2008
[From the White Lunatic Asylums]
Margarita Mateo Palmer (1950)
This first novel written by Margarita Mateo, who had already revolutionized critical
studies in Cuba with her Ella escribía proscrítica, resorts to a crazy character to
build a novel “in which…the avid reader will find routes to a magical and mestizo
world that will take them by the hand through areas where poetry and fantasies
converge. The probable origin of this novel supports quite a few readings in the
Latin American and Caribbean context…readings that far from cut out its profile,
amplifies it,” as pointed out by the critic Eugenio Marrón.
El puente de coral / 2008
[The Coral Bridge]
Hugo Luis Sánchez
Set in a Cuban coastal village, from the 1930s to 1950s, this novel--a mix between
adventure stories and spy fiction--of a marked cinematic nature, strong characters
and language that may go from conciseness to poetry, according to the author,
“tells the story of three friends, two boys and one girl…It combines love, murder,
smuggling and vengeance. There’s a brothel and a whole lot of whores. I began
[to work on the book] attracted by the presence of German submarines in Cuban
territorial waters during WWII, something that is truly fascinating.” The author
breaks away from the vocation of documenting the present, so frequent in today’s
Cuban narrative.
El hombre que amaba los perros / 2009
[The Man who Loved Dogs]
Leonardo Padura (1955)
The origin of this fascinating novel, which delves into the life and personality of
Catalan Ramón Mercader, the man who was appointed by the Stalinist regime
to assassinate the Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky in 1940, lies perhaps in
Leonardo Padura’s visit to Trotsky’s home in Coyacá, Mexico in 1989. With a plot
set in Russia, Turkey, France, Norway, United States, Mexico and Cuba--where
Mercader lived in hiding from 1974 until his death in 1978--the novel, written
in Padura’s usual narrative skill, is also an acute reflection on the corruption of
socialist utopia in the Soviet Union.
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La soledad del tiempo / 2009
[The Loneliness of Time]
Alberto Guerra Naranjo (1963)
Inserted within a frequent trend in Cuba’s most recent literature--narratives
with a strong autobiographical mark and an inclination towards social criticism
in which it is very difficult to separate reality from fiction--Guerra Naranjo’s first
novel goes into great detail about opportunism and the lack of scruple, which have
come to the surface due to the country’s economic difficulties, in Cuban society,
and, especially, within the “learned city” in which three writers--the book’s main
characters--strive for recognition, which only one of them will enjoy, regardless
of how reprehensible the ways to reach their goal may be.
En la Habana no son tan elegantes / 2009
[They’re not so Elegant in Havana]
Jorge Ángel Pérez (1963)
The scenario of an impoverished tenement building in Old Havana, and fire—
destroyer and purifier—serve as a thread to the eight stories in which the author,
who becomes the protagonist of one of them, tells about the sadness that surrounds
the lives of some characters who seek some kind of success at all costs, and end
up mired in despair and hopelessness. On the borderline between what has been
called neo-baroque and dirty realism, the well concocted stories in this volume
expose a Havana that is very far from the tourist postcard and the triumphalist
discourse.
Sangra por la herida / 2010
[Bleeding from the Wound]
Mirta Yáñez (1947)
Emerging as the voice of a generation that undertook the task of consolidating the
Cuban Revolution through enthusiasm, renunciations and many sorrows, Mirta
Yáñez dives into the psychology and ethics of her characters, to delve into the
imprint left by the experiences of a turbulent and complex time (the tired and old
1960s), seen from the grim prospect of the 90s, which marks the critical, and often
harsh, disenchanted view. A master of the narrative technique, of the multiplicity
of views and the outline of characters without losing the humor and irony inherent
to the author, Sangra por la herida is a lucid and stark review of an era.
Sobre los pasos del cronista. El quehacer intelectual de
Guillermo Cabrera Infante en Cuba hasta 1965 / 2010
[In the Footsteps of the Chronicler. The Intellectual Work
of Guillermo Cabrera Infante in Cuba until 1965]
Elizabeth Mirabal y Carlos Velazco
Centered on the first years of the cultural activity of controversial Cabrera Infante,
this inquiry reveals not only his first training period and intellectual maturity, but
the peculiarities of the time when this growth took place. The critic Luis Alvarez
has said: “Through a direct polyphony of those involved in the early years of the
author of Tres tristes tigres, especially in a time of overwhelming dynamism, Sobre
los pasos del cronista manages to introduce the different angles, the forgotten
multiple discourse of a number of decisive years for Cuban culture.”
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La verdad no se ensaya / 2012
[Truth Cannot Be Rehearsed]
Julio César Guanche (1974)
Considered by many experts as the most important Cuban thinker of his generation
and a renovator of political thought in Cuba, Guanche delves into the Cuban
republican tradition, the radical nationalism, and socialism. In the opinion of
Cuban economist Juan Valdés Paz “his interpretation of socialism in a republican
key... not only adds an innovative proposal to the Cuban debate but one that seems
more appropriate to the ideology of Cuban radical nationalism, and therefore
more culturally akin and autochthonous.”
Elogio de la altea o las paradojas de la racialidad / 2012
[Praise to Marshmallows or The Paradoxes of Racialism]
Zuleica Romay Guerra (1958)
The essay critically explores the history of racism and racial discrimination in Cuba.
The test runs, with a critical eye, the history of racism and racial discrimination in
Cuba. Appealing to testimony, autobiographical references, historical inquiry and
sociological analysis, the author reveals that even though the legal basis for racial
discrimination were dynamited by the Revolution, its economic and psychological
consequences still survive, and even surface, in circumstances that cause new
inequalities.
El 71. Anatomía de una crisis / 2013
[‘71. Anatomy of a Crisis]
Jorge Fornet (1963)
Although its title might suggest that the book is limited to one year, 1971, this
excellent essay is a thorough, documented and at times delightful study of a
crucial process for Cuban cultural policy. The author delves into the background,
development, protagonists, antagonists and implications of what is known as the
“gray quinquennium,” and from an amazing multiplicity of sources, explores all
possible issues that marked it, outlines lessons for the present and leaves room for
several controversies.
La noria / 2013
[The Big Wheel]
Ahmel Echevarría (1974)
The so-called “gray-quinquennium” (1971-1976), which in recent years has been
studied from various angles and positions, is the time frame of this novel that
revolves around a writer in his sixties who has been excluded from the Cuban
publishing scene because of his homosexual orientation. His conflicts, traumas,
anguishes and fears; his clandestine relationship with an of the Cuban Security
agent; and, no less important, the role of the writer and writing itself, are dealt
with masterfully in a complex structure that is accessible to all kinds of readers
thanks to author’s mastery of style.
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The Havana Book Fair
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña (Feb 13-23)
& provincial capitals (Feb 24 to Mar 9)
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PAGE 27
The Havana Book Fair is one of the most popular fairs in Havana drawing tens of thousands
of people within the walls of the Cabaña Fortress. Don’t be put off by what can at times
seem like a mob scene but go and check it out for yourself. All those people add to its vitality
and life, and invariably there are loads of ancillary events (recently the world’s largest
cigar has been rolled there). This is a real opportunity for Cubans to pick up a wide variety
of literature and books from around the world, and while for those used to shopping on
Amazon.com or in Barnes & Noble, this fair may seem like a strange concoction, actually
it works pretty well.
The first known book fair in Cuba was held in
May 1937 in the areas adjacent to the esplanade
of La Punta Fortress, the Malecón and the Paseo
del Prado. Despite government collaboration, it
barely had an impact on the country’s cultural
life, even in Havana. The poor promotion in the
press, the scarce sale of books, mostly of Spanish,
Argentinean and Mexican publishers, the low
purchasing power of the population and the lack
of interest from some potential readers—too much
occupied in their professions—or from the general
public, conditioned the eventual failure of this first
attempt.
The idea was taken up again in the 1950s, this time
designed to be held along the Paseo del Prado and
Parque Central, but this effort also left no mark
on the cultural scene of Cuba during those years
hampered as the country was by low schooling
and an almost general lack of interest in reading.
In March 1959, only three months after the
revolutionary triumph, three important institutions
were created: the National Printers of Cuba, the
Cuban School of Graphic Arts and the School
of Typography, whose purpose was to produce
books that would be available and affordable for
everyone. With the Literacy Campaign in 1961, a
wide reading public was born, one who began to
need books as an essential part of their existence.
With the creation of the National Publishers of
Cuba and the strengthening of different cultural
institutions that helped Cuban authors to get
published, the conditions for conducting book
fairs in Cuba would change dramatically. By the
mid-1960s, there was already a national industry,
a population of avid readers and new writers who
contributed to the publication of varied topics and
genres.
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PAGE 28
For three consecutive years in the 60s, Parque
Central was the venue of what was then called
the Cuban Book Festival, but this never really took
off. With the creation of the Ministry of Culture
in 1976, the Cuban Book Institute considered the
possibility of resuming the organization of book
fairs and made some launchings and sales in the
small plaza between the Asturian Center and the
Manzana de Gómez, with a high turnout due largely
to the auction of books and literary competitions.
The prizes were vouchers for the purchase of 100
pesos’ worth of books. Note that the Cuban peso
was worth considerably more than today and went
a long way, with the added value that books were
very cheap.
It wasn’t until the 1980s, however, that a whole
system of fairs was conceived. Many important
new authors were introduced to readers thanks
to printers, which were producing inexpensive
books that reached larger audiences. Cubans
increasingly demanded volumes of national
and universal literature, history, science and
technology, literature for children and teenagers,
and so on.
The 1st Havana International Book Fair took place
in 1982 in the exhibition halls of the Fine Arts
Museum and was dedicated to Cuban patriot and
writer José Martí, Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén and
Bulgarian leader Georgi Dimitrov, who had been
a printer by trade. The modest representation
of publishers and guests included publishers
and writers from Latin America. The year 1984
saw the 2nd Book Fair, whose venue changed to
the Pabellón Cuba and Habana Libre Hotel, with
a larger attendance of international publishers,
especially from Spain and Mexico.
The 3rd Fair in 1986 was held in the Convention
Center and the 4th Fair in 1990, at Pabexpo, until
2000 when it was relocated to San Carlos de La
Cabaña Fortress, which has been its principal
venue to this day. During all these years, the event
has expanded in different ways. From the simple
exhibition and sale of books of the early years,
the fair now revolves around a central theme
and a guest country. Activities include prizes to
Cuban authors; panels, readings and lectures by
outstanding Cuban and international writers;
art exhibitions and concerts; launchings and
book signing; and, of course, the sale of books.
The legalization of the US dollar in the 90s made
possible the sale of books by foreign publishers,
who until then had only attended as exhibitors.
As of 2002, the fair, which had only been held in
Havana for two weeks, was extended to 30 other
cities throughout Cuba from early February to
mid-March. This move made the book fair the
most massive cultural event held in Cuba.
With the change of venue to La Cabaña Fortress
in Havana, the fair managed to attract diverse
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PAGE 29
audiences, from the simple reader to professionals.
One crowd that the fair has catered to consistently
has been kids and teenagers with a wide selection
of literature for these age groups.
crowd. Crafts have always played an important part
in these fairs. The sale of handicraft, for instance,
begins at 6:00 pm, right after the book stands are
closed.
Cuban publishing houses tend to reserve the
launchings of new books that they consider to be
the most attractive for the fair, and many foreign
publishers bring books at tempting prices, aware
of the fact that the Cuban public is educated,
curious and eager, but whose personal finances
don’t go too far. It is a fact that many people
save money throughout the year in the hope of
leaving La Cabaña laden with bags full of reading
material that may quench their thirst for good
and entertaining literature for the next 12 months.
Excited with their purchases, many sit on the wall
of the 18th-century fortress or on the lawn in the
central plaza to enjoy the rich booty.
Official data shows that the 2012 International Book
Fair put over 2,000 titles on sale—840 of which
were new launchings—with over 6,000,000 copies.
Around 260 writers and intellectuals, 600 editors
and other professionals from 41 countries actively
participated in the event, while the attendance
by the public has been estimated at more than
2.5 million people who bought almost 1.5 million
books in 25 days. None of these cold figures,
however, reflect the spirit and the magnitude of
this extraordinary cultural event. The number of
visitors to the heritage site of La Cabaña Fortress
has surpassed all expectations and it was necessary
to expand the fair to other venues in Havana. There
are rumors that the organizers are considering
relocating the fair from the old military fortress
to the World Heritage Site of Old Havana, where
Eusebio Leal, the City Historian, reigns.
There is still another side to the fair that goes
beyond its literary nature. Besides purchasing
books, people go there simply to enjoy family
life ensured by the spectacular view of the city,
restaurants and fast food outlets, children’s
playground within the deep dry moat and concerts
in the evenings, attended mainly by a young festive
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PAGE 30
VISUAL ARTS
Museo Nacional
de Bellas Artes
Edificio de Arte Cubano
Through January 2015
Bésame mucho
Solo exhibition by Eduardo Ponjuán, National Art prizewinner 2013,
made up of large paintings and 3-D works that show a novel visual
morphology in his career. Regarding the title, Bésame mucho, or
Kiss Me a Lot, the artist has said: “I have always liked this bolero by
Mexican composer very much for its lyrics…the notion that in face
all things transient, fleeting, ephemeral, of the end of things, a simple
kiss can make one go on living.”
Centro de Arte
Contemporáneo Wifredo
Lam
Through Frebuary 6, 2015
Quisiera ser Wifredo Lam……
pero no se va a poder
A retrospective of Flavio Garciandía’s work, with
over 70 pieces created from 1973 to 2014, now
in the hands of private collector and the Cuban
State. Drawings, videos, paintings and installations
illustrate the different phases of this important
artist and teacher. Radical and inquisitive, F.
Garciandía has always paid close attention to the
latest trends in contemporary visual arts.
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Casa Oswaldo Guayasamín
THROUGH
JANUARY 17
Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales
Con-tenido. Artist Sandra Pérez
Lozano, focused especially on
installations from multiple visual
resources and based on an
introspective study of the causes
and consequences of repression,
deals with repression as a method
of education, indoctrination and
mastery of human social behavior.
THROUGH
JANUARY 17
Polite & B_Side. Solo exhibition
by Luis Gómez, in which he
reflects on the relations of power
in artistic circles through physical
works and documentation of
multiple negotiation processes.
Biblioteca Pública Rubén Martínez Villena
THROUGH
JANUARY 4
Prólogo para una historia del
arte cubano (Volumen II). Making
use of theatrical scenography,
Eduardo Ponjuán, focuses on the
metaphor of art as a spell in which
an exchange between the artist
and the viewers, and vice versa, is
established.
La piel que habla. Solo exhibition
by Roberto Diago, who conveys
the pain, resistance and selfassertion of Afro-Cuban culture
from a minimalistic point of view
bordering with abstraction while
referring to black skin.
Casa de Asia
Manipulación
mediática
y
autotelia en el arte cubano
contemporáneo. Group exhibition
curated by Israel Castellanos,
who was awarded Estudio 21
Curatorship Scholarship for this
project given its theme which
required long hours of research,
unprecedented in the history of
Cuban art.
THROUGHOUT Universo de rocío. Cuba and Japan
JANUARY
joined in poetry and painting
through some 20 ink wash
paintings by Miguel Ángel Anaya,
Centro Provincial de Artes Plásticas y Diseño
THROUGH
JANUARY 20
Salón de la Ciudad 2014. The
organizers
have
invited
a
group of artists who have a
noteworthy oeuvre and have
exhibited previously at the Center
throughout its three decades of
existence.
Síndrome
de
Estocolmo
(ECÚMENE). Performance by
Jorge Luis Marrero, in which
ideas are mixed together and
superimposed.
Galería La Acacia
Galería Artis 718
THROUGHOUT Luis Enrique Camejo exhibits his
JANUARY
first bronze sculptures made in
THROUGH
JANUARY 18
Miami in 2014.
Galería Espacio Abierto
THROUGHOUT Re-verso. Solo exhibition by artist
JANUARY
Antonio Núñez.
Galería Habana
THROUGH
JANUARY 9
La mesa está servida. Works by
Rolando Quintero Capote, mostly
installations, that allow a direct a
dynamic interaction between the
artist and the iewer.
Palabras. Exhibition by Santiago
Rodríguez Olazábal, in which he
establishes an infinite and multiple
dialogue with the orishas of the
Yoruba pantheon.
Homostalias Arquea-Appaloosa.
Paintings, artwork in resin,
drawings and video-installation
are the mediums used by Glauber
Ballestero to show, with a dose
of irony, the risks, agonies and
devastation one must go through
to reach a state of harmoiny
and balance in which only pure
sensations are perceived.
Restaurante El Templete
THROUGH
JANUARY 17
Litoral. Show by Ileana Mulet of a
group of oil paintings whose theme
is Cuba’s coast reinterpreted
through her exquisite sensitivity
and her imaginary along with
poems dedicated by the artist to
José Martí.
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Galería Latinoamericana. Casa de las Américas
THROUGH
JANUARY 19
Nature Boy: Edel Rodríguez en la
Casa. First solo exhibition in Cuba
by Cuban-American designer Edel
Rodríguez. Graphic design and
art meet in this show, made up by
40 posters conceived for theater
festivals, Broadway shows, operas
and films; drawings and original
books; and a digital sample
of illustrations and covers for
different magazines he has worked
for, including Time magazine.
Galería Servando Cabrera Moreno
THROUGHOUT El sur del cielo. Show by ceramist
JANUARY
Joan Alvad.
Galería Villa Manuela
THROUGH
JANUARY 18
El peso de la Historia. In his
constant exploration into History,
Reynier Leyva Novo uses the laws
put into practice by the Revolution
in 1959 and the recent changes
occurred in the island according
to new circumstances are the
focus of his exhibition. A computer
program calculates the area,
volume and weight of the ink used
to print those documents, which
are projected on the gallery’s
walls. .
Memorial José Martí
OPENS
JANUARY 8
18 artistas cubanos de hoy.This
exhibition of works from the
collection of Spanish Luciano
Méndez includes pieces by both
acclaimed and young artists who
have just begin to exhibit fot the
first time: Luis E. Camejo Elizabet
Cerviño, Daniela Díaz, Roberto
Fabelo, Moisés Finalé, Carlos
Guzmán, Alexis Leiva Machado
(Kcho), Cristian López, Manuel
Mendive, Mabel Poblet, Carlos
Quintana,
Ernesto
Rancaño,
Gabriel y Leticia Sánchez Toledo,
Serón, Alfredo Sosabravo, Ana
Toledo and Diego Torres .
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PAGE 33
PHOTOGRAPHY
Convento de San Francisco de Asís
Throughout January
Mascarada. Exhibition of Italian photographer
Alfredo Cannatello
Sala L´Escalier de l´Art.
Alianza Francesa de Cuba
Through January 20
Imágenes de barrios de Silvio Rodríguez. Pictures
taken by the Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio
Rodríguez during his concerts around different
neighborhoods around Cuba since 2010. “I have
been fortunate to be in circumstances and
places that have been beautiful, dramatic and
sometimes terrible. This is the material which
these photographs are made of,” said Silvio at the
opening. citadels to its current image of a degraded
environment.
Museo Nacional de Bellas
Artes. Edificio de Arte
Cubano
Throughout January
Cómo lo vemos a usted (y cómo nos ven). Artists
Jeffrey Cárdenas and Yanela Piñeiro opened two
photographic studios at Plaza Vieja in July 2014.
During this time, they photographed approximately
600 people. Each artist, separately, selected the
image that best depicted the subject’s personality
and created diptychs with both pictures. As a
whole, the photographs express the diversity of
biotypes, genotypes and even characters that can
be found in Havana today.
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DANCE
Como el primer día.
Resplandor de tacones
Teatro Martí
Jan 23 & 24 8:30pm; Jan 25, 5pm
Show by the Ballet Español de Cuba, directed
by Eduardo Veitía, which approaches Spanish
dance respecting its particularities while
incorporating techniques from classical, modern
and contemporary dance.
La magia de la danza
Teatro Nacional. Sala Covarrubias
Jan 1, 3, 9 & 10, 8:30pm; Jan 4 & 11,
5pm
Concert program by the Ballet Nacional de Cuba
with The Magic of Dance, an anthology of great
moments of 19th-century choreographies in
versions by Alicia Alonso and the Cuban School of
Ballet, including Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, The
Nutcracker, Coppelia, Don Quixote, Swan Lake and
The Gottschalk Symphony, the latter an example of
the most recent Cuban choreography that shows
the possibilities of classical dance with the Cuban
identifying nature. In the principal roles: Viengsay
Valdés, Anette Delgado, Sadaise Arencibia, Yanela
Piñera, Amaya Rodríguez, Dani Hernández, José
Losada, Grettel Morejón, Arián Molina, Jessie
Domínguez, Camilo Ramos, Dayesi Torrientes,
Ginett Moncho, Lissi Báez, Serafín Castro and
Alfredo Ibáñez, accompanied by soloists and corp
de ballet.
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PAGE 35
MUSIC
CONTEMPORARY FUSION
Club Habana Party
Photo Alex Mene
The contemporary fusion and electronic music
scene has expanded recently as new bars
and clubs have opened party promoters have
organized events in parks and public spaces.
Good live music venues include Bertolt Brecht
(Wed: Interactivo, Sunday: Déjá-vu) and El Sauce
(check out the Sunday afternoon Máquina de la
Melancolía) as well as the newly opened Fábrica
de Arte Cubano which has concerts most nights
Thursday through Sunday as well as impromptu
smaller performances inside.
In Havana’s burgeoning entertainment district
along First Avenue from the Karl Marx theatre to
the aquarium you are spoilt for choice with the
always popular Don Cangreco featuring good live
music (Kelvis Ochoas and David Torrens alternate
Fridays), Las Piedras (insanely busy from 3am) and
El Palio and Melem bar—both featuring different
singers and acts in smaller more intimate venues.
Café Cantante, Teatro Nacional
Fresa y Chocolate
TUESDAYS
Mariana y La Maquinaria
5 pm
THURSDAYS
Elaín Morales
Havana Hard Rock
Café Concert El Sauce
5 pm
La Máquina de la Melancolía, with
Frank Delgado and Luis Alberto
García
EVERY OTHER
FRIDAY
Soul Train, a show of soul music
SAT & SUN
Cover bands
10 pm
Club Turf
THURSDAYS
Tercera y 8
MONDAYS
Aceituna Sin Hueso
10 pm
5 pm
SUNDAYS
SUNDAYS
Baby Lores
Djoy
10 pm
11 pm
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PAGE 36
MUSIC CONTEMPORARY FUSION
Café Corner
THURSDAYS
Diablo Tun Tun
Tesis de Menta
10:30 pm
Jardines del teatro Mella
JAN 7
Ruta 11 and guests
4 PM
JAN 22
Piano Bar Habaneciendo
FRIDAYS
Gens
Aire Limpio
SUNDAYS
Proyecto Urbano
Gens
Con100cia
8:30 PM
Fusión Latina
JAN 28
El Prófugo
5 pm
Centro Cultural Bertolt Brecht
WEDNESDAYS Roberto Carcassés and Interactivo
10 pm
Submarino Amarillo
Fábrica de Arte Cubano
10 PM
DJ Iván Lejardi / Concert by
Ernesto Blanco
JAN 2
Concert by Dejavu
JAN 1
WEDNESDAYS Dimensión Vertical
10 pm
9 pm
JAN 3
9 pm
y
5 pm
JAN 15
5 pm
SUNDAYS,
Berazaín
La Madriguera
11 PM
SUNDAYS
5 PM
Adrián
Ernesto Blanco
5 pm
11 pm
Con100cia
4 pm
THURSDAYS
WEDNESDAYS Karamba,
Los Kents
Concert by Síntesis
10 pm
JAN 4
Concert by Gerardo Alfonso
10 pm
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PAGE 37
Photo by Alex Mene
SALSA / TIMBA
Casa de la Música Habana
MONDAYS
Casa de la Música de Miramar
5 pm Habana C
11 pm Havana Show and guests
MONDAYS
11 pm
TUESDAYS
5 pm Havana de Primera
11 pm La Justicia
Sur Caribe
WEDNESDAYS
11 pm NG La Banda
THURSDAYS
11 pm Charanga Latina
THURSDAYS
11 pm Adalberto Alvarez
FRIDAYS
5 pm La Nueva Justicia
11 pm Bamboleo
FRIDAYS
5 pm El Niño y La Verdad
11 pm NG La Banda
SATURDAYS
5 pm Discotemba
SUNDAYS
5 pm Bamboleo
SUNDAYS
11 pm Havana Show and guests
Jardines del 1830
FRIDAYS
Piano Bar Tun Tun
Azúcar Negra
10 pm
THURSDAYS
11 pm NG Jorgito Melodía
SATURDAYS
11 pm NG La Banda
FRIDAYS
11 pm Chispa y los Cómplices
Tercera y 8
WEDNESDAYS Alain Daniel
11 pm
Café Cantante, Teatro Nacional
FRIDAYS
5 pm Manana Club
11 pm Discotemba
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PAGE 38
MUSIC JAZZ
© Adam Bernstein - Will
Magid gives it his all at
Jazz Plaza 2012
Jo Jazz
November 19-22, 2014, Havana
Although some people still see it as a mere
preamble to the International Jazz Plaza Festival,
Jo Jazz has been gaining in popularity from that
distant day in 1998 when the first festival was held
on the initiative of the famous musician Chucho
Valdés and other enthusiasts.
The ever-increasing numbers of Jo Jazz fans
are getting ready to enjoy this competition for
young Cuban and international jazz musicians
and composers from 16 to 30 years of age. Prizewinners have included musicians who today are
popular not only in Cuba but abroad, such as
Yasek Manzano, Michel Herrera, Yissy Garcia and
Harold López-Nussa.
Besides the competition, the event will include
workshops organized by experts on the subject,
concerts and jam sessions in various places in
Havana. However, one of the most exciting thing
for jazz lovers seems to be to predict, in situ, the
birth of future Cuban jazz stars.
Café Jazz Miramar
Shows: 11 pm - 2am
This new jazz club has quickly established itself as
one of the very best places to hear some of Cuba’s
best musicians jamming. Forget about smoke filled
lounges, this is clean, bright—take the fags outside.
While it is difficult to get the exact schedule and in
any case expect a high level of improvisation when
it is good it is very good. A full house is something
of a mixed house since on occasion you will feel
like holding up your own silence please sign!
Nonetheless it gets the thumbs up from us.
Asociación Cubana de Derechos de Autor Musical
Café Miramar
Alexis Bosch (pianist) and Proyecto
Jazz Cubano.
SATURDAYS
JAN 15
6 pm
UNEAC
JAN 8
2 pm
10 pm
Roberto Carcassés (pianist
composer) and his trio
&
Centro Hispano Americano de Cultura
Peña La Esquina del Jazz hosted by
showman Bobby Carcassés.
JAN 14
2 pm
Yasek Manzano (trumpet player)
and his group
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PAGE 39
MUSIC BOLERO, FOLKLORE, SON & TROVA
Asociación Yoruba de Cuba
SATURDAYS
Centro Memorial Martin Luther King, Jr.
Los Ibellis (Folkloric group)
4 pm
Waldo Mendoza
5 pm
Café Concert El Sauce
TUESDAYS
8 pm
FRIDAYS
Plus Trova with Charly Salgado
and guests.
Frank Delgado
11 pm
Rafael Espín and guests
trova.
THURSDAYS
Conjunto de Arsenio Rodríguez
5 pm
FRIDAYS
5 pm
SUNDAYS
FRIDAYS
SATURDAYS
Peña El Canto de Todos, with
Vicente Feliú
Casa de la Cultura Comunitaria Mirta Aguirre
5 pm
Get-together with trovador Ireno
García.
Peña with Marta Campos.
Centro Cultural Habaneciendo
Pabellón Cuba
Filin with Fausto Durán and guests
SATURDAY
4 pm
THURSDAYS
TUESDAY
6 pm
Casa Memorial Salvador Allende
5 pm
4 pm
Peña Tres Tazas with trovador
Silvio Alejandro
Peña Participo with trovador Juan
Carlos Pérez
Peña with trovador Ray Fernández
Fresa y Chocolate
3pm
JAN 30
Bolero Night
5 pm
7 pm
SUNDAYS
Ivette Cepeda.
Piano Bar Tun Tun (Casa de la Música de Miramar)
Casa de la Cultura de Plaza
JAN 10
Timbalaye
9 pm
FRIDAYS
JAN 25
Rumberos de Cuba
Hurón Azul, UNEAC
Trovador Eduardo Sosa
5 pm
6 pm
5 pm
9:30 pm
Casa del Alba
JAN 29
WEDNESDAYS Trovando, a meeting with good
Hotel Telégrafo
4 pm
JAN 2
El Jelengue de Areíto
5 pm
Café Teatro Bertolt Brecht
JAN 31
Marta Campos
4:30 pm
Café cantante, Teatro Nacional
SATURDAYS
JAN 15
Peña La Juntamenta, with trovador
Ángel Quintero.
THURSDAY
Trova hosted by Richard Luis and
Eric Méndez
Fernando Becquer
4 pm
Centro Iberoamericano de la Décima
Casa de la Música Habana
SUNDAYS
5 pm
JAN 3
Yoruba Andabo
Duo Ad Libitum
3 pm
JAN 25
5 pm
El Jardín de la Gorda with trovadors
from every generation
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PAGE 40
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Photo by Ivan Soca
Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís
JAN 8
6 pm
JAN 10
6 pm
JAN 17
6 pm
JAN 24
6 pm
Concert with the Vocal Leo chorus, conducted by Corina Campos, and pianists Jorge Luis
Pacheco and Marialy Pacheco.
Pianist Eralys Fernández, with guest soprano Elina Calvo and guest musicians cellist Alejandro
Martínez, clarinetist/saxophonist Alejandro Calzadilla and percussionist Eugenio Arango,
will perform works by Bach, Brahms, Saúl Cosentino, Astor Piazzolla, Carlos Gardel, Lucio
Dalla and Eralys Fernández.
Soprano Johana Simón, along with Bryan López, Eleomar Cueto, Roger Quintana, Alioska
Rodríguez, Milagros de los Ángeles and pianists Ana Magdalena, Marita Rodríguez and Yanner
Rascón, will give a program based on lieder by Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Brahms and
Wagner.
The Orquesta de Cámara de La Habana, conducted by Daiana García, will play works by Bach,
Mendelssohn and Reger.
Casa del ALBA Cultural
JAN 4
En Confluencia, conducted by guitarists Eduardo and Galy Martín.
5 pm
JAN 11
Tarde de Concierto, conducted by soprano Lucy Provedo.
5 pm
JAN 18
De Nuestra América, conducted by pianist Alicia Perea.
5 pm
JAN 25
Concert by guitarist Rosa Matos.
5 pm
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PAGE 41
Biblioteca Nacional José Martí
SATURDAYS
Concerts with chamber soloists and ensembles.
4 pm
Iglesia de Paula
JAN 8
7 pm
Organists Gabriela Mulen and David Pérez will play works from the 16th-18th Latin
American repertoire.
Oratorio San Felipe Neri
JAN 9 & 16
7 pm
JAN 10
7 pm
Concerts with the Lyceum Mozartiano de La Habana and the Symphony Orchestra of the
University of the Arts.
Violist Anolan González, along with harpist Maite Rodríguez, flutist Alberto Rosas, soprano
Alioska Jiménez and pianist Vilma Garriga will play works by Debussy, Vierne and Brahms.
Sala Covarrubias, Teatro Nacional
SUNDAYS
Concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra.
11 pm
Sala Gonzalo Roig. Palacio del Teatro Lírico Nacional
JAN 25
Cuerda Dominical, with guitarist Luis Manuel Molina
5 pm
Sala Ignacio Cervantes
JAN 11
6 pm
JAN 18
6 pm
JAN 25
6 pm
Pianist Erarys Fernández, and guests Alejandro Calzadilla (clarinet-saxophone), Elina Calvo
(soprano) and Diego Carneiro (cello) have announced the concert La voz del tango, (The Voice
of Tango) with works by Erarys Fernández, Astor Piazzolla, Aníbal Troilo, Saúl Cosentino,
Ariel Ramírez and Carlos Gardel.
The Solistas de La Habana, chamber orchestra conducted by Iván Valiente; Vocal Leo chamber,
choir directed by Corina Campos, and the Camerata Vocale Sine Nomine, conducted by
Leonor Suárez, and the participation of a group of operatic singers, will perform works bt the
Cuban composer Beatriz Corona.
National Opera Concert. Famous lieder by Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Schubert and
Pergolesi, among other composers, sung by the Teatro Lírico Nacional directed by Dennise
Falcón and soprano María Felicia Pérez,.
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THEATRE
La catedral del helado
Teatro del Sol / Production: Sara María Cruz
Tue-Thurs, 8:30pm
Sala Adolfo Llauradó
Monologue based on the short story El lobo, el
bosque y el hombre nuevo written by Senel Paz,
which was also the bassi to Tomás Gutiérrez
Alea’s Oscar-nominated film Fresa y chocolate.
Performed by the young actor Manuel Alejandro
Rivera, the play is a criticism on homophobia
and intolerance, and a hymn to friendship and
understanding among people.
Sábado corto
Teatro D’Dos / Production: Julio César
Ramírez
Fri & Sat 8:30pm; Sun 5pm
Teatro Raquel Revuelta
Well known Costumbrismo play (local everyday
life, customs and manners) written by the Cuban
playwright Héctor Quintero.
Cloaca
El Ingenio / Production: Juan Carlos Cremata
Fri & Sat 8:30pm; Sun 5pm
Sala Adolfo Llauradó
Considered one of the most successful plays of
Dutch theater, this piece by playwright María
Goos, deals with the friendship of four adult men
and what has remained in common among them
when life and commitments lead them to assume
different attitudes.
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PAGE 43
MUSICAL THEATER
Broadway returns to Havana
Friday-Sunday, 8:00pm
Teatro Bertolt Brecht
Broadway returns to Havana. Rent, a rock musical based on Puccini’s La Bohème, tells the story of a
group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York City’s
Lower East End under the shadow of HIV/IUDS. This Spanish language production of Rent is being
produced by Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment in partnership with the Cuban National Council of
Performing Arts and is the first Broadway musical with a full cast, musicians and first-class production
elements to be staged in Cuba in over 50 years. Andy Señor, Jr., who directs a company of 15 Cuban
actors, is a leading member of Broadway’s Cuban American community. He first starred as “Angel” in
Rent on Broadway and later directed productions of the show in numerous places around the world.
The Cuba production of Rent also features choreography by Marcus Paul James, musical direction by
Emmanuel Schvartzman, sound design by Michael Catalan, and costume design by Angela Wendt. Thom
Schilling is production manager.
The Phantom of the Opera
Sat & Sun, 9pm, Anfiteatro de La Habana Vieja
Alfonso Menéndez celebrates his 30th anniversary
in show business with The Phantom of the Opera,
the famous musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Menéndez is responsible for the script, Spanish
version and production of the musical. The main
roles will be interpreted by Maylú Hernández/
Marla Pileta as Christine; José Luis Pérez/Andrés
Sánchez as The Phantom; and Rigoberto López/
Rogelio Rivas as Raoul, who will be accompanied
by a cast of young singers, many of whom are
newcomers to the stage. Also participating in the
production are the Ballet de la Televisión Cubana
and the Ballet de Bertha Casañas.
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FOR KIDS
Meñique
La Colmenita
Jan 24, 10am
Museo Casa Natal de José Martí
The popular children’s theater group La Colmenita
will present Meñique, authored by Laboulaye, in a
version by José Martí.
Siempre Havana
Circo Nacional de Cuba
Sat & Sun, 4pm & 7pm
Carpa Trompoloco
Brand new circus show for the autumn with
exciting acts combined with the vernacular humor
that the first circuses in Cuba were based on. The
kids will love the clowns, the trained animals, the
fire-eaters, as well as other highly skilled acts, such
as aerial silk, tumbling and trampoline, juggling,
acrobatics, and much more.
Los Ibellis y el diablo
El Arca
Fri, Sat & Sun, 3pm
Teatro de títeres El Arca
Reopening of the multi-prizewinning solo show
written by Adalett Rafael Pérez Pupo, based on an
Afro-Cuban legend about two twin brothers who
manage to beat the devil’s prepotency through
shrewdness, intelligence and games.
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EVENTS IN HAVANA
Taller Práctico Internacional de
la Danza Moderna Cubana
Winter Workshop: January 5-16, 2015
Summer Workshop: August 3-18, 2015
Teatro Nacional de Cuba
The two-week long International Workshop on Cuban Modern Dance, Cubadanza, aimed at professional
dancers and students, teaches different Cuban popular rhythms and dances from which Cuban modern
dance draws on and shows how the pelvic region and the undulation of the torso, among other
characteristics, are the fundamental basis of the Cuban technique of modern dance. According to the
availability of the company for the period in which the workshop will take place, it will possible to attend
rehearsals and demonstrative lessons with first dancers of Danza Contemporánea de Cuba.
Classes will be held Monday-Saturday on the first week and Monday-Friday the second week from
9am to 2pm. The subjects that will be taught are Cuban Modern Dance Technique, Cuban Folklore,
Traditional and Popular Dances, Barre Technique, Choreography Workshops and Methodology for
Teaching Cuban Modern Dance.
Details of registration options and fees:
1. Two hours daily of Cuban modern dance technique, Cuban traditional and popular dances, Cuban
folklore, choreography workshops, barre technique, lectures, talks, etc/ (CUC 250 p/person).
2. The same as above plus Methodology for teaching Cuban modern dance (CUC 300 p/person).
Students will get a 10% discount with the presentation of an official document proving they are students.
The fee includes the diploma and certificate.
For more information:
http://www.dccuba.com/index.php/es/taller-cubadanza.html
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EVENTS IN HAVANA
FolkCuba. Laboratorios
Internacionales de
Folklore de Cuba
January 19-February 2
Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba
Sponsored by the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de
Cuba, the two-week long FolkCuba, International
Folklore Laboratories, is held twice a year in
January and July in which experts in Cuban folklore
dances teach Cuban dances and music of African
and Spanish origin, as well as the principal Cuban
percussion instruments. The “secrets” of mambo,
cha-cha-cha, rumba, mozambique, pilón, conga,
and dances and drum beating related to African
religious rites are revealed by outstanding figures
of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba.
XIX Taller de Antropología Social y Cultural
Afroamericana y VIII Encuentro de Oralidad Festival
Afropalabra
January 5-8 (Havana); January 9-10
(Matanzas)
The opening of the cultural year at Havana’s
Historical Center will be marked by the 19th
Workshop on Afro-American Social and Cultural
Anthropology with the presence of academicians
and researchers, and the 8th African Word
Festival, which will be dedicated to Vitalia Oviedo,
“Old Havana’s Storyteller,” and to the Decade of
Afro-descendants, with the presence of Cuban
and international artists from all manifestations of
the arts, including the Senegalese Prince Mamour
Ba, who is a composer, vocalist, arranger, teacher,
dancer and percussionist, who now lives in Brazil.
religious rites are revealed by outstanding figures
of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba.
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PROGRAM
19th Workshop on Afro-American Social and Cultural Anthropology, and 8th African Word Festival
Jan 5, 2015
CASA DE ÁFRICA
9 am
CASA DE AFRICA &
CASA BENITO JUÁREZ
Opening of the 19th Workshop on Afro-American Social and Cultural Anthropology
and 8th African Word Festival.
Special performance by narrators Mirta Portillo and Lucas Nápoles
Opening of exhibition by Italian photographer Alfredo Cannatello.
11am-1pm / 2:30-5:30pm
Committee sessions
Jan 6, 2015
CASA DE AFRICA
10am
11am
PLAZA DE SAN
FRANCISCO
2:30pm
PLAZA VIEJA
3 pm
CASA DE AFRICA
7 pm
Introductory words by the City Historian, Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler. Lecture by
MSc. Ramón Torres Zayas: “Abakuá: ¿ekue entemesoro?”.
Committee sessions
Epiphany: Recalling an old tradition, the Afro-Cuban Council will tour the principal
plazas of the Historic Center. Performances by children and youth ensemble under
the Quisicuaba Sociocultural Project, Gigantería and the Piquete de Santiago de las
Vegas
Performances by Rumba Morena, Fanm Zetwal and Makuta, exponents of African
and Caribbean culture.
Culrtural gala with the special performance of the artists participating in the Afropalabra Festival.
Jan 7, 2015
CASA DE AFRICA
9:30am
Opening of the exhibition by photographers Elio Delgado and Marco Marini.
CASA DE AFRICA &
CASA BENITO JUÁREZ
10am-1pm / 2:30-5:30pm
CASA DE LA POESÍA
Opening of the exhibition El Plante by the Mujeres Trabajando art group.
Committee sessions
7 pm
Jan 8, 2015
CASA SIMÓN BOLÍVAR
Opening of the exhibition of the artist Alexis Cardona
9:30am
CASA DE ÁFRICA
Committee sessions
10am-1pm
CASA BENITO JUÁREZ
2:30pm
CASA DE AFRICA
5:30pm
Opening of the exhibition Mujeres afrodescendientes en México, by photographer
Janette Housman
Closing ceremony of the Workshop with the master lecture “The Decade of Afrodescendants and the promotion of racial equality in Brazil” by Mr. Albino Ernesto
Poli Junior, minister advisor of the Brazilian Embassy in Cuba. Special performance
by the group Brasilua, and opening of Vida cotidiana, an exhibition of tapestries by
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PAGE 48
AROUND CUBA
Festival de la Trova Longina
January 7-11, 2015
Santa Clara
In remembrance of one of the greats of traditional Cuban trova, Manuel Corona, and his immortal song
“Longina,” trovadors of different generations and from all over Cuba have shared the stage for 18 years
during the Festival de la Trova Longina. The event includes concerts and informal get-togethers at La
Caridad Theater, the famous El Mejunje Cultural Center, the Museo de Artes Decorativas and Casa del
Joven Creador in the afternoons and evenings; theoretical meetings and the traditional walk to Corona’s
grave.
The rumor that Argentine folk rock performer, composer and interpreter León Gieco might be performing
at this year’s Longina Festival has trova fans on tenterhooks. Gieco, who is often called “The Argentine
Bob Dylan” is the author of the emblematic Solo le pido a dios (I Only Ask of God) and other cult songs,
has visited Cuba on other occasions with great success. However, Gieco is not the only attraction. The
popular La Trovuntivitis project from Villa Clara will be opening the festival, and singer-songwriters
Tony Ávila and Roly Berrío will also be participating.
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PAGE 49
January 27
Marcha de las Antorchas:
A tribute to José Martí
Photos by Alex Mene
by Ricardo Alberto Pérez
The writings of one man have enlightened and inspired Cubans for over a century. This
man is José Martí, and every year on January 27, students and workers gather together to
celebrate his birth in the Marcha de las Antorchas—March of the Torches. José Martí was
born in Havana and vigorously opposed injustice and oppression from a very early age. As
an adolescent, his unwavering commitment to the full dignity of man earned him a prison
sentence, being subjected to forced labor in the quarries. But prison did not deter him. His
continual confrontation with the Spanish colonial government forced him to spend most
of his short life—45 years—in political exile.
Cuban literature was enriched by Martí’s simple,
fluent style and his personal, vivid imagery. His
writings include poems, newspaper articles,
reviews, letters, diaries, essays and political
writings, which have been gathered in over 50
volumes in Martí’s Obras Completas [Complete
Works].
While Martí’s poetry is considered by many as
the precursor of the Spanish-American literary
movement known as Modernismo, he is also
considered the founder of modern political
thought in Cuba. After all, he created the Cuban
Revolutionary Party and organized the “necessary
war” of 1895.
In 1953, on the centenary of his birth, the
Federation of University Students decided to pay
tribute to Martí’s memory in what would become
known as the March of the Torches. On the eve of
January 28, people filled the streets to show their
civic attitude as well as the significance of the day.
This act had added meaning because it occurred
during the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, who
seized power through a military coup, assumed
the presidency and suspended the Constitution in
1952. At 11:30 pm on Tuesday, January 27, a huge
mass of torch-bearing youth descended the steps
of the University of Havana to march through the
streets. The human avalanche completed their
journey shortly after midnight upon their arrival
at the quarries where the 17-year-old Martí had
served his sentence.
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PAGE 50
After the Revolution of 1959, the March of the Torches acquired a more festive mood. Today, many of the
students who take part in the march are driven by the festive atmosphere and not necessarily the true
meaning of the celebration. Sixty years after the first march, however, one thing is certain: the streets
of Havana continue to fill with youth holding torches on the evening of January 27.
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PAGE 51
January 28, 1853: Birth of José Martí
by Victoria Alcalá
If there is one date that unites all Cubans of any ideology or origin, it is January 28 when
we celebrate the birthday of the Apostle of national independence, José Martí, who was
born in 1853, on Paula Street in Havana, in the house that is currently marked with
number 314. Poet, journalist, orator, essayist, translator, José Martí is not only the most
significant literary figure of the 19th century in Cuba, he was also the organizer of the
Cuban Revolutionary Party against Spanish colonialism.
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PAGE 52
On January 28, the words of the greatest of all
Cubans take on special significance in day-care
centres and schools of all levels of education,
and students and workers set off on the evening
of January 27 from the University of Havana on a
pilgrimage to Central Park, where the first statue
erected in Cuba in his memory still stands.
Besides his literary work, he organized the Cuban
Revolutionary Party, the political body which
brought together the patriots that were willing
to wager an all-out military effort against Spanish
colonialism until independence was gained. Killed
in combat at Dos Ríos in the eastern part of Cuba
in 1895, Martí would not get to see the results of
the recently begun war that would end in 1898,
although a period of US intervention would delay
the proclamation of the Republic until May 20,
1902.
Paradoxically, the architect of Cuba’s independence
lived very little on home soil. At the age of 16 he
served time in prison in Havana and was later exiled
in the Isle of Pines before being banished in 1871 to
Spain where he studied Civil Law, and Philosophy
and Letters at the Universities of Madrid and
Zaragoza. He lived in Mexico and Guatemala from
1875 to 1878, making a brief, clandestine visit to
the island in early 1877. He returned to Havana in
August 1878, but was again banished in September
1879, and settled down in New York where he would
live, with a brief stay in Venezuela, until 1895. That
year he travelled to the Dominican Republic where
he organized an expedition that landed on Playitas
de Cajobabo in Baracoa on April 11, 1895.
Despite having lived most of his life outside
his homeland, no one has stirred among their
countrymen devotion comparable to that for José
Martí, to the point that the house where he was
born was bought in 1901 through public donations
for Martí’s mother, Canarian-born Leonor Pérez,
widow of Valencian Mariano Martí. When Dona
Leonor passed away, the small house became the
property of the Cuban people and was devoted to
honour the memory of the National Hero.
The modest dwelling, which opened as a museum
on January 28, 1925, was established as a National
Monument in 1949. It holds many personal
belongings of the great intellectual and political
leader who lived there only a few years. What child
in Havana can say that they have never visited
“Martí’s little house” as it is popularly known? My
father took me there on my first visit almost 50
years ago while almost 15 years have passed since
I took my own child on his first visit there. Usually
talkative and spirited, and accustomed to visiting
imposing museums and cultural institutions in
Old Havana, my son grew silent and whispered
in my ear: “Martí was so poor!” as if he found it
difficult to associate the beauty of Martí’s poems,
which he had heard and learned since he was very
little, with the unpretentious and modest dwelling.
Unknowingly, he was paying tribute to the austerity
of the man who had ratified with his death what
he had proclaimed in his verses: “With the poor
people of the earth / I want to share my fate,” the
man who every January 28 is remembered by good
Cubans, wherever they are.
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HM7 is not the nickname of a famous athlete or
some secret code name. It is, though, a symbol of
tranquility and relaxation—a newly discovered, little
known formula for a perfect evening. HM7 is one of
the restaurants that have recently opened in Havana,
the fruit of private initiative in Cuba. Habana Mía 7
is located on the beautiful tree-lined Paseo Avenue,
approximately 100 meters from the Malecón, in the
Vedado District.
A steep but small staircase takes us to the
restaurant’s two rooms. We enter the one on the
left where we are greeted with tropical-colored
cocktails from the bar, which has a wide selection
of whiskies, Cuban rum, vodka and gin. Very close
to the bar is a balcony with comfortable tall chairs,
great for enjoying the soft breeze from the ocean or
simply people-watching. Today, the balcony is filled
with a group of friends who chose the restaurant
for their yearly reunion, two lovers and three young
men who can’t help flirting with the pretty waitress
who brought their drinks.
My first impression is that I am in the cleanest place
in Havana. Immaculately clean, prying eyes will have
a hard time finding fault with the place. Everything
is in plain sight, including the kitchen that shows
the chef and his team at work. A glass separates the
kitchen from the guests seated in the second room,
to the right. The service is friendly and polite, but
not overbearing.
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The starters anticipate a dinner that promises to be wonderful. Its international gourmet food includes fresh
seafood from the Tropics, splendid Mediterranean dishes and the best cuts of beef, South American style.
Fresh vegetables and fruit, and attractive desserts are part of a carefully designed menu. The sommelier
will recommend the best wine with your food, while he teaches a younger sommelier the secrets of the
profession. Elegance could very well be the code word for HM7, a perfect place for a romantic dinner.
HM7 is open until three in the morning, and at that time, when very few places in Havana are open, the
Chef will prepare a full dinner, or a snack to accompany your last cocktail or glass of wine. I heartily
recommend HM7, an excellent formula for a perfect evening.
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PAGE 61
Havana’s best places to eat
La Guarida
El Atelier
CA
5
Bella Ciao
CA 4+
Café Bohemia
CA
5
Café Laurent
CA 4+
EXPERIMENTAL FUSION
HOMELY ITALIAN
CAFÉ
SPANISH/MEDITERRANEAN
Interesting décor, interesting
menu.
Great service, good prices. A
real home from home.
Bohemian feel. Great
sandwiches, salads & juices
Attractive penthouse restaurant
with breezy terrace.
Calle 5 e/ Paseo y 2, Vedado
(+53) 7-836-2025
Calle 19 y 72, Playa
(+53) 7-206-1406
Calle San Ignacio #364, Habana
Vieja
Calle M #257, e/ 19 y 21, Vedado
(+53) 7-831-2090
La California
La Casa
Casa Miglis
El Chanchullero CA
CA 5
CA 5
CA
5
5
CUBAN-CREOLE/INTERNATIONAL
CONTEMPORARY FUSION
SWEDISH-CUBAN FUSION
Beautiful C19 colonial building.
Great fresh pastas.
VIP service. The Robaina family
place. Thurs Sushi night.
Oasis of good food & taste in
Centro Habana
Fabulous value hole in the wall
tapas. Trendy.
Calle Crespo #55 e/ San Lázaro
y Refugio, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-863 7510
Calle 30 #865 e/ 26 y 41, Nuevo
Vedado
(+53) 7-881-7000
Lealtad #120 e/ Ánimas y
Lagunas, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-864-1486
Teniente Rey #457 bajos, Plaza
del Cristo, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-872-8227
Le Chansonnier CA
El Cocinero
Corte Príncipe CA
4
CA 5
5+
Il Divino
CA 4+
CONTEMPORARY FUSION
INTERNATIONAL
ITALIAN
INTERNATIONAL
Stylish & contemporary with
good food. Expensive.
Industrial chic alfresco rooftop
with a buzzing atmosphere
Sergio’s place. Simple décor,
spectacular food.
Set in huge gardens outside
town. Great for the kids.
Calle J #257 e/ Línea y 15,
Vedado
(+53) 7-832-1576
Calle 26, e/ 11 y 13, Vedado.
(+53) 7-832-2355
Calle 9na esq. a 74, Miramar
(+53) 5-255-9091
Calle Raquel, #50 e/ Esperanza
y Lindero, Arroyo Naranjo
(+53) 7-643-7734
D. Eutimia
Esperanza
La Fontana
La Guarida
CA 5+
CA 4+
CA 4
CA 5+
CUBAN/CREOLE
CUBAN FUSION
INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
Absolutely charming. Excellent
Cuban/creole food.
Intimate, idiosyncratic &
charming (not cheap).
Consistently good food,
attentive service. Old school.
Justifiably famous. Follow in
the footsteps of Queen of Spain
Callejón del Chorro #60C, Plaza
de la Catedral, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7 861 1332
Calle 16 #105 e/ 1ra y 3ra,
Miramar
(+53) 7-202-4361
Calle 46 #305 esq. a 3ra,
Miramar
(+53) 7-202-8337
Concordia #418 e/ Gervasio y
Escobar, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-866-9047
Habana Mia 7
Iván Chef
El Litoral
Nautilus
CA 5
CA 5+
CA 5+
CA 5
INTERNATIONAL GOURMET
SPANISH
INTERNATIONAL
FRENCH/MEDITERRANEAN
Endless summer nights.
Excellent food and service.
Brilliantly creative and rich
food.
Watch the world go by at the
Malecón’s best restaurant.
Imaginative, tasty and
innovative menu.
Paseo #7 altos e/ 1ra y 3ra.
Vedado
(+53) 7-830-2287
Aguacate #9 esq. a Chacón,
Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-863-9697
Malecón #161 e/ K y L, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-2201
Calle 84 #1116 e/ 11 y 13. Playa
(+53) 5-237-3894
Nazdarovie
Opera
Otra Manera
Río Mar
CA 5+
CA 5
CA 5
CA 5
SOVIET
INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
Well designed Soviet décor,
excellent food & good service.
Homely & intimate
environment. Quality food. By
reservation.
Beautiful modern decor.
Interesting menu and good
service.
Contemporary décor. Great
sea-view. Good food.
Calle 5ta #204 e/ E y F, Vedado
(+53) 5-263-1632
(+53) 8-31-2255
Calle #35 e/ 20 y 41, Playa.
(+53) 7-203-8315
Ave. 3raA y Final #11, La Puntilla,
Miramar
(+53) 7-209-4838
Santy
Starbien
VIP Havana
Malecon #25, 3rd floor e Prado
y Carcel, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-860-2947
San Cristóbal
CA 5
CA 5+
CA 5+
CA 5
CUBAN/CREOLE
SUSHI/ORIENTAL
SPANISH
Deservedly popular.Consistently
great food. Kitsch décor.
Authentic fisherman’s shack
servicing world-class sushi.
Fabulous food and great service
in the heart of Vedado.
Jordi’s place. Fabulous modern
open-plan space.
San Rafael #469 e/ Lealtad y
Campanario, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-860-9109
Calle 240A #3023 esq. a 3ra C,
Jaimanitas
(+53) 5-286-7039
Calle 29 #205 e/ B y C, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-0711
Calle 9na #454 e/ E y F, Vedado
(+53) 7-832-0178
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La Guarida
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Contemporary fusion
CostExpensive
www.laguarida.com
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Authentic, charming and intimate
atmosphere in Cuba’s best known
restaurant. Great food, professional. Classy.
Don’t Miss Uma Thurman, Beyoncé or the
Queen of Spain if they happen to be dining
next to you.
Concordia #418 e/ Gervasio y Escobar, Centro
Habana.
(+53) 7-866-9047
El Litoral
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
International
CostExpensive
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Quality décor, good service and
great food. Best new place recently opened.
Don’t Miss Drinking a cocktail at sunset
watching the world go by on the Malecón
Malecón #161 e/ K y L, Vedado.
(+53) 7-830-2201
Nazdarovie
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Soviet
CostModerate
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Getting a flavor of Cuban-Soviet history along with babuska’s traditional dishes
in a classy locale.
Don’t miss Vodka sundowners on the
gorgeous terrace overlooking the malecon.
Malecon #25 3rd floor e/ Prado y Carcel, Centro
Habana
(+53) 7-860-2947
Iván Chef Justo
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Spanish
CostExpensive
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Spectacular innovative food. Light
and airy place where it always seems to feel
like Springtime.
Don’t Miss The lightly spiced grilled mahimahi served with organic tomato relish.
Try the suckling pig and stay for the cuatro
leches.
Aguacate #9, Esq. Chacón, Habana Vieja.
(+53) 7-863-9697 / (+53) 5-343-8540
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PAGE 63
La California
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Cuban-Creole/International
CostModerate
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Beautiful C19 colonial building.
Popular place with quality food and great
service. Love the fresh pastas.
Dont’t Miss The interesting history of the
neighbourhood, where Chano Pozo (legendary Afro-Cuban jazz percussionist) hung out.
Calle Crespo #55 e/ San Lázaro y Refugio,
Centro Habana
(+53) 7-863-7510
Casa Miglis
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Swedish-Cuban fusion
CostExpensive
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for The beautifully designed interior,
warm ambience and Miglis’s personality
create the feeling of an oasis in Central
Havana.
Don’t Miss Chatting with Mr Miglis.
The Skaargan prawns, beef Chilli and
lingonberries.
Lealtad #120 e/ Ánimas y Lagunas, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-864-1486
www.casamiglis.com
Habana Mía 7
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
International gourmet
CostModerate
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Stylish and fresh décor give a
Mediterranean feel for long endless summer
nights. Excellent food and service.
Don’t miss Watching the world go by on the
lovely terrace overlooking the ocean.
Paseo #7 altos e/ 1ra y 3ra, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-2287
www.habanamia7.com
Santy
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Sushi
CostModerate
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Fabulous sushi, wonderful ambience
overlooking fishing boats heading out to sea.
World class.
Don’t miss Getting a reservation here.
Calle 240A #3023 esq. 3raC, Jaimanitas
(+53) 5-286-7039
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PAGE 64
Atelier
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Experimental fusion
CostExpensive
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Interesting menu, beautiful building
with great décor and service.
Don’t miss Dinner on the breezy terrace
during summer.
Calle 5ta e/ Paseo y 2, Vedado
(+53) 7-836-2025
[email protected]
La Casa
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
International/sushi
CostExpensive
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Warm hospitality and openness
from the four generations of the Robaina
family. Quality food.
Don’t miss Thursday night sushi night.
The Piña Colada.
Calle 30 #865 e/ 26 y 41, Nuevo Vedado.
(+53) 7-881-7000
[email protected]
Otra Manera
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
International
CostModerate
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Beautiful modern décor and good
food.
Don’t miss Pork rack of ribs in honey. Sweet
& sour sauce and grilled pineapple
Calle 35 #1810 e/ 20 y 41, Playa
(+53) 7-203-8315
[email protected]
[email protected]
Opera
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
International
CostModerate
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Best for Homely & Intimate
enviroment Quality food in a beautiful
setting.
Don’t miss Fresh pasta, vegetarian dishes
and quail.
Calle 5ta #204 e/ E y F, Vedado
(+53) 5-263-1632 / (+53) 8-31-2255
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Sloppy Joe’s
Havana’s best Bars & Clubs
Traditional Bars
El Floridita
CA 4+
Hemingway’s daiquiri bar.
Touristy but always full of life.
Great cocktails.
Obispo #557 esq. a Monserrate,
Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-867-1299
Factoría
Plaza Vieja
CA 5
Sloppy
Joe’s Bar
CA 4+
Recently (beautifully)
renovated. Full of history.
Popular. Lacks a little ‘grime’.
Microbrewery. Serves ice
chilled bong of light locally
brewed beer.
San Ignacio esq. a Muralla,
Plaza Vieja, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-866-4453
Ánimas esq. a Zulueta, Habana
Vieja
(+53) 7-866-7157
Espacios
TaBARish
Cervecería
CA 5+
ANTIGUO ALMACÉN
MADERA Y EL TABACO
DE
LA
Microbrewery located
overlooking the restored docks
Simply brilliant.
Avenida del Puerto y San
Ignacio, La Habana Vieja
Contemporary Bars
El Cocinero
CA 5+
Fabulous rooftop setting, great
service, cool vibe.
Calle 26 e/ 11 y 13, Vedado
(+53) 7-832-2355
CA 5-
Laid back contemporary bar
with a real buzz in the back
beer-garden.
CA 5
A comfortable place to chat
/ hang out with your friends.
Great service.
Calle 10 #510, e/ 5ta y 31,
Miramar
Calle 20 #503, e/ 5ta y 7ma.
Contemporary bars/clubs
Don Cangrejo CA
4+
Love it/hate it—this is the
oldest Friday night party
place and is still going strong.
Outdoor by the sea.
CA 4
Über modern and stylish indoor
bar/club. Miami style crowd
and attitude.
Calle 94 #110 e/ 1ra y 3ra,
Miramar
(+53) 7-206-4167
Ave. 1ra e/ 16 & 18, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-3837
Other
Meliá Sports Bar CA
Kpricho
4
Big-screen sports-bar in
modern outdoor terrace. Good
for sports and live music.
Meliá Habana Hotel
Ave. 3ra e/ 76 y 80, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-8500
El Gato Tuerto CA
Up & Down
CA 5
From the team that brought
you Sangri-La. Attracting
a young party crowd, very
popular. Take a coat.
Calle 3ra y B, Vedado
4+
Late night place to hear
fabulous bolero singers. Can
get smoky.
El Tocororo
CA 5+
X Alfonso’s new cultural center.
Great concerts, funky young
scene.
(next to the Puente de Hierro)
(+53) 5-329-6325
www.facebook.com/fabrica.
deartecubano
(+53) 7-202-9188
(+53) 7-836-3031
Fábrica
de Arte
CA 4+
Expat favorite hangout. Small
indoor bar with live music and
eclectic clientele.
Sangri-La
CA 5
For the cool kids. Basement
bar/club which gets packed at
weekends.
Ave. 21 e/ 36 y 42, Miramar
(+53) 7-264-8343
Bertolt Brecht
CA 5
Think MTV Unplugged. Hip,
funky and unique with an artsy
Cuban crowd.
Calle O e/ 17 y 19, Vedado
(+53) 7-833-2224
Calle 18 e/ 3ra y 5ta, Miramar
Calle 13 e/ I y J, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-1354
Humboldt 52
Fashion
Bar Havana
Café Bar
Madrigal
Gay-friendly
Cabaret
Las Vegas
CA 4
Can get dark and smoky but
great drag show (11pm) from
Divino—one of Cuba’s most
accomplished drag acts.
Infanta #104 e/ 25 y 27, Vedado.
(+53) 7-870-7939
CA 5
One of the hottest venues
for gay nightlife in Havana at
present.
Humboldt #52 e/ Infanta y
Hospital, Centro Habana.
(+53) 5-330-2989
CA 5
A superb example of
queer class meets camp,
accompanied by a fantastic
floor show.
San Juan de Dios, esq. a
Aguacate, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-867-1676
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CA 4
Pop décor, fancy cocktails, and
the staff’s supercilious attitude,
this is a gathering spot for all
types of folks.
Calle 17 #809 e/ 2 y 4, Vedado
(+53) 7-831-2433
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Bertolt Brecht
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
CONTEMPORARY BAR/CLUBS
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Hanging out with hip & funky
Cubans who like their live music.
Don’t Miss Interactivo playing on a
Wednesday evening.
(+53) 7-830-1354
Espacios
CA 5-
CA TOP PICK
CONTEMPORARY BAR
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Laid back lounge atmosphere in
the garden area which often has live music.
Good turnover of people.
Don’t Miss Ray Fernandez, Tony Avila, Yasek
Mazano playing live sets in the garden.
Calle 10 #510 e/ 5ta y 31, Miramar
(+53) 7-202-2921
Sangri-La
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
CONTEMPORARY BAR/CLUB
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Hanging out with the cool kids on
the Havana Farundula in the most popular
bar/club.
Don’t Miss The best gin and tonic in Havana.
Ave. 21 e/ 36 y 42, Miramar
(+53) 5-264-8343
Bolabana
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
CONTEMPORARY
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Trendy new location near Salón
Rosado de la Tropical
Don’t Miss Hipsters meet the Havana
Farándula
Calle 39 esq. 50, Playa
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Humboldt 52
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
GAY FRIENDLY
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Hot staff, comfortable setting, and
welcoming vibe at Havana’s first full-time,
openly-gay bar
Don’t Miss The disco ball, a talented opera
duo performing Wednesdays and karaoke
and drag performances other days of the
week
Humboldt #52 e/ Infanta y Hospital,
Centro Habana.
(+53) 5-330-2989
Fábrica de Arte
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
CONTEMPORARY BAR
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for X Alfonso’s superb new cultural
center has something for everyone
Don’t Miss Ne pas manquer Les meilleurs
musiciens cubains
(next to the Puente de Hierro)
Fashion Bar Havana
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
GAY-FRIENDLY
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for A superb example of queer class
meets camp, accompanied by a fantastic
floor show.
Don’t Miss The staff performing after 11pm
San Juan de Dios, esq. a Aguacate, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-867-1676
TaBARish
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
CONTEMPORARY BAR/CLUB
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for A comfortable place to chat / hang
out with your friends. Great service.
Don’t Miss The homemade Russian soup –
just like Matushka makes it.
Calle 20 #503, e/ 5ta y 7ma.
(+53) 7-202-9188
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Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís
Havana’s best live music venues
Concert venues
Karl Marx
Theatre
CA 5
World class musicians perform
prestigious concerts in Cuba’s
best equipped venue.
Calle 1ra esq. a 10, Miramar
(+53) 7-203-0801
Basílica San CA
Francisco de Asís
5
A truly beautiful church,
which regularly hosts fabulous
classical music concerts.
Fábrica de Arte CA
5
X Alfonso’s new cultural center.
Great concerts inside (small
and funky) and outside (large
and popular!).
Oficios y Amargura, Plaza de
San Francisco de Asís, Habana
Vieja
Calle 26 e/ 11 y 13, Vedado (next
to the Puente de Hierro)
Jazz Café
Privé Lounge
Sala CovarrubiasCA
5
TEATRO NACIONAL
Recently renovated, one of
Cuba’s most prestigious venues
for a multitude of events.
Paseo y 39, Plaza de la
Revolución.
Jazz
Café Jazz
Miramar
CA 4+
Clean, modern and
atmospheric. Where Cuba’s
best musicians jam and
improvise.
Cine Teatro Miramar
10:30pm – 2am
Ave. 5ta esq. a 94, Miramar
Salsa/Timba
Café Cantante
Mi Habana
CA 4
Attracts the best Cuban
musicians. Recently renovated
with an excellent new sound
system.
Ave. Paseo esq. a 39, Plaza de la
Revolución
(+53) 7-878-4273
Contemporary
Café Teatro
Bertolt Brecht
CA 5
Think MTV Unplugged when
musicians play. Hip, funky and
unique with an artsy Cuban
crowd.
(+53) 7-830-1354
Trova & traditional
Barbaram
Pepito’s Bar
CA 4+
Some of the best Cuban Nueva
Trova musicians perform
in this small and intimate
environment.
Calle 26 esq. a Ave. del
Zoológico. Nuevo Vedado
(+53) 7-881-1808
CA 4
A staple of Havana’s jazz
scene, the best jazz players
perform here. Somewhat cold
atmosphere-wise.
CA 5+
Small and intimate lounge
club with great acoustics and
beautiful decor. Jazz groups
play Sunday night.
Galerías de Paseo
Ave. 1ra e/ Paseo y A, Vedado
Calle 88A #306 e/ 3ra y 3raA,
Miramar
(+53) 7-209-2719
Casa de la
Música
Casa de la
Música
CA 4
CA 4
CENTRO HABANA
MIRAMAR
A little rough around the edges
but spacious. For better or
worse, this is ground zero for
the best in Cuban salsa.
Smaller and more up-market
than its newer twin in Centro
Habana. An institution in the
Havana salsa scene.
Galiano e/ Neptuno y
Concordia, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-860-8296/4165
Calle 20 esq. a 35, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-0447
Don Cangrejo CA
4+
Love it/hate it—this is the
oldest Friday night party
place and is still going strong.
Outdoor by the sea.
Ave. 1ra e/ 16 y 18, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-3837
Gato Tuerto
CA 4+
Late night place to hear
fabulous bolero singers. Can
get smoky.
Calle O entre 17 y 19, Vedado
(+53) 7-833-2224
El Sauce
CA 5-
Great outdoor concert venue to
hear the best in contemporary
& Nueva Trova live in concert.
Ave. 9na #12015 e/ 120 y 130,
Playa
(+53) 7-204-6428
Legendarios
de Guajirito
CA 5
See Buena Vista Social Club
musicians still performing
nightly from 9pm. Touristy but
fabulous.
Zulueta #660 e/ Apodaca y
Gloria, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-861-7761
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La Zorra y el
Cuervo
CA 5
Intimate and atmospheric, this
basement jazz club, which you
enter through a red telephone
box, is Cuba’s most famous.
Calle 23 e/ N y O, Vedado
(+53) 7-833-2402
Salón Rosado
de la Tropical
CA 5
The legendary beer garden
where Arsenio tore it up. Look
for a salsa/timba gig on a Sat
night and a Sun matinee.
Ave. 41 esq. a 46, Playa
Times: varies wildly
(+53) 7-203-5322
Teatro de
Bellas Artes
CA 4+
Small intimate venue inside
Cuba’s most prestigious arts
museum. Modern.
Trocadero e/ Zulueta y
Monserrate, Habana Vieja.
CA 4+
Salón 1930
‘Compay Segundo’
Buena Vista Social Club style
set in the grand Hotel Nacional.
Hotel Nacional
Calle O esq. a 21, Vedado
(+53) 7-835-3896
contents
PAGE 74
Havana’s Best Hotels
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
Simply the best…
CA
Iberostar
Parque Central
5+
Luxury hotel overlooking
Parque Central
Neptuno e/ Prado y Zulueta,
Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-860-6627
Santa Isabel
CA 5+
Luxurious historic mansion
facing Plaza de Armas
CA 5
Beautifully restored colonial
house.
Narciso López, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-860-8201
Obispo #252, esq. a Cuba,
Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-862-4127
Business Hotels
Meliá Cohíba
CA 5
Oasis of polished marble and
professional calm.
Ave Paseo e/ 1ra y 3ra, Vedado
(+53) 7- 833-3636
Palacio del
Marqués...
CA 5
Oficios #152 esq. a Amargura,
Habana Vieja
CA 5
Attractive design & extensive
facilities.
CA 4
A must for Hemingway
aficionados
Mercure Sevilla CA
4
Stunning views from the roof
garden restaurant.
Calle Obispo #153 esq. a
Mercaderes, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7- 860-9529
Trocadero #55 entre Prado y
Zulueta, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-860-8560
Economical/Budget Hotels
Bosque
CA 3
On the banks of the Río
Almendares.
Calle 28-A e/ 49-A y 49-B,
Reparto Kohly, Playa
(+53) 7-204-9232
Deauville
CA 3
Lack of pretension, great
location.
Galiano e/ Sán Lázaro y
Malecón, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-866-8812
5+
Immensely charming, great
value.
Oficios #53 esq. a Obrapía,
Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-867-1037
Occidental
Miramar
CA 5
Malecón esq. a Lealtad, Centro
Habana
(+53) 7-862-8061
CA 4+
Good value, large spacious
modern rooms.
Ave. 3ra y 70, Miramar
(+53) 5-204-8500
For a sense of history
Ambos Mundos
Hostal Valencia CA
Terral
Wonderful ocean front
location. Newly renovated.
Paseo del Prado #603 esq. a
Dragones, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-860-8201
Cuban baroque meets modern
minimalist
Meliá Habana
CA 5+
Stunning view from roof-top
pool. Beautiful décor.
Boutique Hotels in Old Havana
Florida
Saratoga
Conde de
Villanueva
CA 5
Delightfully small and intimate.
For cigar lovers.
Mercaderes #202, esq. a
Lamparilla
(+53) 7-862-9293
H10 Habana
Panorama
CA 4+
Cascades of glass. Good wi-fi.
Modern.
Ave. 5ta. e/ 70 y 72, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-3583
Ave. 3ra. y 70, Miramar
(+53) 7 204-0100
Hotel Nacional
Riviera
CA 5
Eclectic art-deco architecture.
Gorgeous gardens.
CA 3
Spectacular views over wavelashed Malecón
Calle O esq. a 21, Vedado
(+53) 7-835 3896
Paseo y Malecón, Vedado
(+53) 7-836-4051
Saint John’s
Vedado
CA 3
Lively disco, tiny quirky pool.
Popular.
(+53) 7-833-3740
.COM JANUARY 2015
CA 3
Good budget option with a bit
of a buzz
(+53) 7-836-4072
contents
PAGE 75
Havana’s
best private
places to stay
Cañaveral House
For Help reserving any Private Accommodation (Casas Particulares) in Cuba please contact
[email protected]
Mid range - Casa Particular (B&B)
1932
Carlos in cuba
CA 4
CA 5
Gay Friendly BED and
Breakfast in Havana
Visually stunning, historically
fascinating. Welcoming.
Calle 2 #505 e/ 23 y 21, Vedado
(+53) 7-833-1329
(+53) 5-295-4893
[email protected]
www.carlosincuba.com
Campanario #63 e/ San Lázaro
y Laguna, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-863-6203
Habana
CA 5
Beautiful colonial townhouse
with great location.
Julio y Elsa
CA 5
Cluttered bohemian feel.
Hospitable.
Calle Habana #209, e/
Empedrado, y Tejadillo, Habana
Vieja.
(+53) 7-861-0253
Consulado #162 e/ Colón y
Trocadero, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-861-8027
Artedel
Hostal Guanabo
Up-scale B&Bs (Boutique hostals)
Cañaveral House CA
But undoubtedly the most
beautiful about private homes
in Cuba
5 Vitrales
39A street, #4402, between 44
y 46, Playa, La Habana Cuba
(+53) 295-5700
http://www.cubaguesthouse.
com/canaveral.home.
html?lang=en
CA 5
Hospitable, attractive and
reliable boutique B&B with 9
bedrooms.
Habana #106 e/ Cuarteles y
Chacón, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-866-2607
CA 5+
Ydalgo Martínez Matos’s
spacious and contemporary
3-bedroom penthouse is
magnificent.
CA 5
Beautiful 4 bedroom seafront villa in sleepy Guanabo.
Excellent food.
Calle I #260 e/ 15 y 17, Vedado
(+53) 5-830-8727
Calle 480 #1A04 e/ 1ra y 3ra,
Guanabo
(+53) 7-799-0004
Habana Vista
Suite Havana
Apartment rentals
Bohemia Hostal CA
5+
Gorgeous 1-bedroom
apartment beautifully
decorated apartment
overlooking Plaza Vieja.
San Ignacio #364 e/ Muralla
y Teniente Rey, Plaza Vieja
Habana Vieja
(+53) 5- 403-1 568
(+53) 7-836-6567
www.havanabohemia.com
Luxury Houses
Villasol
CA 5
Rent Room elegant and wellequipped. Beautiful wild
garden and great pool.
Calle 17 #1101 e/ 14 y 16, Vedado
(+34) 677525361
(+53) 7-832-1927
(+53) 5-360-0456
Casa Concordia CA
5+
Beautifully designed
and spacious 3 bedroom
apartment. Spanish colonial
interiors with cheerful, arty
accents.
CA 5
Two-storey penthouse b&b
with private pool
Calle 13 # 51 esq. a N, Vedado
(+53) 5-388-7866
Lamparilla #62 altos e/
Mercaderes y San Ignacio,
Habana Vieja
(+53) 5-829-6524
Concordia #151 apto. 8 esq. a
San Nicolás, Centro Habana
(+53) 5-254-5240
www.casaconcordia.net
Casablanca
CA 5
Elegant well-equipped villa
formerly owned by Fulgencio
Batista. Beautiful wild garden.
Morro-Cabaña Park. House #29
(+53) 5-294-5397
www.havanacasablanca.com
CA
Michael
and María Elena
This leafy oasis in western
Havana has an attractive
mosaic tiled pool and three
modern bedrooms.
Calle 66 #4507 e/ 45 y Final,
Playa
(+53) 7-209-0084
.COM JANUARY 2015
CA 5
Elegant 2-bedroom apartment
in restored colonial building.
Quality loft style décor.
5
Residencia
Mariby
CA 5
A sprawling vanilla-hued
mansion with 6 rooms
decorated with colonial-era
lamps, tiles and Louis XV
furniture
Vedado.
(+53) 5-370-5559
contents
PAGE 76
Artedel Luxury
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
3 BEDROOM PENTHOUSE
Facilities
Rooms
Ambience
Value
Best for Stylish and contemporary furniture
along with a beautiful 360-degree view over
Havana
Don’t Miss Ydalgo – an impeccable host,
discreet or gregarious, as you prefer
Calle I #260, e/ 15 and 17, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-8727
Bohemia Hostal
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
GORGEOUS 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT
Facilities
Rooms
Ambience
Value
Best for Independent beautifully decorated
apartment overlooking Plaza Vieja.
Don’t Miss Spending time in Havana’s most
atmospheric Plaza.
San Ignacio #364 e/ Muralla y Teniente Rey, Plaza
Vieja, Habana Vieja
[email protected]
(+53) 5 4031 568: (53) 7 8366 567
www.havanabohemia.com
Cañaveral House
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Facilities
Rooms
Ambience
Value
Best for Large elegant villa away from
downtown Havana. Great for families or
groups of friends.
Don’t Miss Basking in the sun as you stretch
out on the lawn of the
beautifully kept garden.
39A street, #4402, between 44 y 46, Playa, La
Habana Cuba
(+53) 295-5700
http://www.cubaguesthouse.com/canaveral.home.
html?lang=en
Rosa D’Ortega
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
BOUTIQUE VILLA
Facilities
Rooms
Ambience
Value
Best for Large elegant villa away from the
bustle of downtown Havana. Gracious hosts,
beautiful rooms.
Don’t Miss Exploring the off-the-beaten
track neighbourhood.
Patrocinio #252 esq. a Juan Bruno Zayas, 10 de
Octubre
(+53) 7-641-43-29 / (+53) 5-263-3302
http://www.larosadeortega.com
.COM JANUARY 2015
contents
PAGE 77

full events guide

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