Interviews

This Song Is For You Lucia

“I had already been here before, and was familiar with the place. Ernesto is the son and the grandson of lighthouse keepers. His family has served in lighthouses across the island. Before getting married I already knew that I would have to come here so that he could carry on the tradition,” says Lucia.

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Quantum: Cuba’s Sound Warriors

It was an unforgettable experience of melodious bursts that clawed while at the same time caressing my senses. I arranged an interview so that the readers of Havana Times could learn more about the multiple battles that this band wages against adversity.

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“The Coup Is Irreversible”

The military coup that overthrew Honduran President Manuel Manuel Zelaya nine days ago erased Michael Jackson’s surprising death from the news across almost the entire continent. Politcal analyst Maria Lopez Vigil notes, “It won’t be easy for Zelaya to regain control or for Micheletti to give it up.”

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Controversial Director Speaks Out

“We shouldn’t always wait for acceptance from above; we have to be daring enough to speak up and to make a little noise. I’ll continue making short films “with” or “without” the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC), or any other institution, as long as they always respect my creative freedom,” said director Eduardo del Llano.

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Cuban Actress: Dreaming Is Free

I always wanted to be an actress. It was my dream. In the twelfth grade I went to take the tests at the Superior Art Institute. I passed all most all of them, except the last one. That was terrible for me, although I now recognize that it was what spurred me to continue.

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Mariela Castro’s Hopes for Cuba

“Participation could be the key of socialism in the 21st century,” says Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuba’s current president, Raul Castro, and the late Vilma Espin. “I continue betting on socialism, but one in which we are required to address all the contradictions that continue to arise and to identify the changes needed for development.”

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Dago of Viñales on Land Grants & Tourism

Of course, the standard of life has improved quite a bit, mainly because most tourists stay in rooms that are rented out by families, and a lot of people have gone into that business. One can see that those families who rent are doing better; their properties are painted, being added on to and repaired, they buy brand name sound systems and televisions, and so on.

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Dago’s Life in Viñales, Cuba

Dude, I am aware that Viñales is special. It wasn’t named a World Heritage Site for nothing. There are living prehistoric fossils here that are not well known to tourists such as the Cork Palm tree, or White Chameleon Thistle, and I know that all of this has great potential.

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I’d like to have wings…

Working with young children requires dedication, supportiveness and perseverance. Jennifer Almeida surprises us for her tenacity. Many know her for Amanecer Feliz (Happy Dawn), a daily feature on Cuban TVs morning news magazine Buenos Dias.

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Cuban Food Habit Challenges

Cuban cuisine is rich in terms of its food, but frying prevails as a cooking method. It does not employ sautéing or boiling to season food with aromatic plants. It is lavish in dessert recipes, which can be positive, but is also negative because these entail consuming large quantities of sugar.

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