Diaries Archives - Page 154 of 646

The General’s Mango Tree

Julio, one of my oldest friends, is neighbors with a general. And, on the other side of his home, in the general’s backyard, there is a mango tree. It leans completely over onto my friend’s house. As a result, most of the mangoes fall into his garden.

A Revolutionary People Are Like a Steel Wall

Anyone who thinks that a military intervention against a revolutionary people can easily bring about a change in government or introduce a counter-revolutionary one, which bows down to the US’ imperialist interests, is wrong because these people’s dignity is invincible.

Federation of Cuban Women’s Congress Put into Context

With it recently being International Women’s Day (March 8th) and the Federation of Cuban Women holding their 10th Congress, it’s worth asking ourselves what this body actually does.It’s just that I live here in Cuba and I haven’t picked up on the FMC’s activism in decades.

Is Cuba Part of the Global Women’s Struggles?

Another International Women’s Day is here today. I’ve previously described how these days take place in Cuba, between boredom and ignorance; how a date of struggle has become a vain celebration. Very few women here try to join the true spirit of this day; the vast majority continue to be content with the congratulations of their colleagues and among themselves.

Equality and solidarity, principles of socialism in Cuba

A lot has been said and written about equality and solidarity in socialism, and by default, the Cuban Revolution. In Capitalism’s economic/social system, inequality, discrimination and selfishness reign supreme, which are the antithesis of equality and solidarity.

Something Terrifying in Cuba: Publicly Admitting You’re Censored

Almost a year has passed since I was distanced from my career in Cuba because of: “My criticism online of people who lead the Government and Communist Party,” an obvious case of censorship that has prevented me from working as an actress. That was definitely a turning point in my professional career, and it made me better understand how cultural policy works in my country.

A Cuban Writer We’ll Call “K”

There was once a Cuban writer called K who was once told by a woman that he had talent and she admired him. It was disastrous. He began to write poorly, publish less and nobody read him. He lived in Havana, sunken in the misery that is living in a “solar” (tenement) and playing la bolita (lottery) three times a day.

Film on the Execution of Eight Medical Students in Cuba

“Inocencia” (Innocence), the new Cuban film now in movie theaters, is based on the tragedy of eight medical students who were executed in 1871. The movie tells us how these young people were charged with a fabricated crime and the punishment that followed.

What We Gained and Lost with Cuba’s Constitutional Referendum

Let’s assume that the results disclosed by the National Election Commission are trustworthy; ignoring how suspicious it was that it took almost a whole day to announce the results to the public. Even with so many doubts and suspicions, it would be interesting for us to analyze what we have gained and lost with Cuba’s constitutional referendum process and its final results.

The Hershey Train and the Collapse of Cuba’s Rail System

Producing the independent film Corazon Azul (Blue Heart) by Miguel Coyula, we needed to film a train trip. The first thing that came to my mind was the time I spent over the years on the Hershey train coming from Matanzas to visit my maternal family, especially my grandparents.