Irina Pino’s Diary

Cuban photographer Yanahara Mauri Villareal’s (1984) nudes, border on the grotesque a lot of the time; bodies are normally accompanied by objects which are far removed from the classical beauty that the eye traditionally sees in this art form. (19 photos)

For a few days now, some Havana Times writers have been busy with a project to promote our website. Video interviews have been recorded, something unusual for us, although this is how you raise money in the rest of the world to sell an image and a product.

Mariana Grajales Park, in the capital’s Vedado neighborhood, doesn’t have it’s original lions anymore, now it has some ordinary ones, probably made out of concrete. Where the statues ended up remains a mystery up until today.

Having an orgasm with love is the perfect combination, a powerful alliance which brings a couple together, as well as other interests, like friendship, children (if you have them) and all kinds of relationships.

People who are different might bother other people’s eyes but it hurts those on the receiving end more, who have to put up with society’s averting glances, its disgust.

Yesterday, a gay friend, writer and photographer, who I love very much, invited me to see the screening of the documentary Villa Rosa, which was made in Caibarien, Villa Clara. The film premiered at the Havana Young Filmmakers’ Festival, and tells us of several gay experiences in an entertaining way.

Life changes for all emigres, for better or worse. You can see this in a friend of mine, who has just come back to visit his family, just by looking at him, his transformation has been huge.

Lovers and friends come together to celebrate February 14th. They get presents ready, there are invitations in the air… but as I’m no longer in love, I don’t even worry, although sometimes I remember a relationship I had with a 17 year old boy when I was 24.

Now that the 2017 Cuba Book Fair has kicked off in Havana, people frequently talk about writers and their great egos, about their verbosity in front of a room full of people who only want to flatter them, to feed their self-regard.