Havana’s Alternative Biennial Opening

HAVANA TIMES – The #00 Biennial of Havana was inaugurated without police intervention or direct repression on Saturday. Everything happened in a very good atmosphere. The organizers, with the fatigue of three intense months, thanked the participants, collaborators and all those who went to Damas Street despite the pressure exerted by the Cuban cultural authorities.   

However getting to the opening was another story with promoters and artists suffering several different experiences that included the seizure of stickers, fabrics and white T-shirts ready to print with the logo of the event. Several artists were threatened with removing them from the artists’ registry, which would prevent them from being in the category of independent artists, thus exposing them to the infamous Law 88 or pre-criminal dangerousness, because they are not linked to a workplace.

Once again the organizers repeated that with their action they only wanted to fill the gap left by the suspension of the official Biennial. The # 00Bienal is not a confrontation with the institution nor does it intend to ignore it. It is a reminder that alternativeness must also exist and be noticed.

The #00 Biennial started this Saturday and will run through the 15th, there will be exhibitions, theoretical events, performances.

Later today we hope to add the program here.