Irina Pino’s Diary

If I set out to write about illustrious mothers, the list would be endless. At any rate, today I would like to pay tribute to these progenitors of flesh-and-blood beings, those marvelous women who stand by their children during misfortunes, and throughout their lives.

Leaving the city of Santa Clara at the young age of fourteen, this octogenarian – an illustrious figure in the eyes of his family – would settle definitively in Havana, a destination recently declared one of the world’s “wonder cities.”

Recently, a friend was telling me about how hard it is to find a restaurant where you can eat while listening to agreeable background music. What you hear most at these establishments are dance pieces or catchy songs with tasteless lyrics.

I haven’t met anyone who is immune to his charms, who isn’t drawn into his stories, peopled by simple, flesh-and-blood characters, who doesn’t laugh and reflect at the same time. It is a unique experience, stepping into the skin of Charlot or any other character Chaplin played.

Of the articles I’ve read recently, one dealing with the plastic surgery procedures that both women and men undergo in Spain to aspire to better jobs as companies prefer to hire “young, beautiful” people that can attract customers and make business dealings more successful.

I believe it is important that films dealing with different sexual orientations be made. The independent US film Transamerica (2005) should not be missed by those who support LGTB rights.

A number of taboo issues, such as poverty, homosexuality and transsexuality have been tackled in some of Cuba’s most recent film productions. It is encouraging seeing how many closed doors are being opened…

International Women’s Day was celebrated on Sunday, March 8, a date in which the media here made a point of underscoring the unique values of Cuban women, emphasizing their achievements in all spheres of society.

On the night of February 25, The Dead Daisies played at Havana’s rock-and-roll venue the Maxim Rock. The much-awaited performance began at 9:30 pm. and the band was welcomed with euphoric screaming and thunderous applause.

Days ago, I received the sad news that Havana’s Charles Chaplin Theater had ceased to be Cuba’s Cinematheque. The cinema operated as such for over fifty years and, in my view, fulfilled its task.