Interviews Archives - Page 99 of 147

The Critical Lens of Cuban Visual Artist Eddos

A Cuban visual artist, Eddos casts a critical glance at the world through his lens. “My work tries to raise awareness and restore feelings,” he tells us.

Tom Hayden on Thawing of U.S.-Cuba Relations Despite GOP Opposition (Video)

In a wide-ranging discussion, Tom Hayden, author of the new book, “Listen, Yankee!: Why Cuba Matters,” argues the United States and Cuba have much more in common than a 55-year disagreement. This comes as Republicans have launched an attempt to block President Obama’s efforts to restore U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations.

The Magic Realism of Natalia Bolivar

Judging from the irreverence that has been the hallmark of her entire life, Natalia Bolivar Arostegui (1934) doesn’t strike one as someone who was born in Havana’s aristocratic neighborhood of Miramar, whose garden walls are as impregnable as its safe deposit boxes; she appears rather to have been born in the more proletarian quarters of Pogolotti, where dockers return to put an end to their rumba-filled nights – or rather returned, for it’s been several decades since she was last inclined to visit Havana’s more picturesque neighborhoods on “anthropological impulses,” as she puts it.

A Voice for Young Art in Cuba

Gustavo Gonzalez (alias G-Rhymes) is one of the organizers of Mision Calle (Street Mission) and one of the young artists behind the album Pedazo de Cielo (“A Slice of Heaven”). “We are a kind of independent production company that aims to promote certain values through the arts.”

From Italy to Centro Habana: The Story of SalchiPizza

Months ago, a foreign acquaintance of mine who had plans of settling in Cuba and opening a business there, was telling me there was no good bread on the island. It is no secret that our daily bread is getting worse on a daily basis. (31 photos)

From Cuba to Nashville: An Interview with Sheyla Paz Hicks

Journalist, singer, producer, filmmaker: this has been the professional carrier of Sheyla Paz Hicks, born in the town of Tumba Siete, in Cuba’s east-laying province of Santiago de Cuba. Today, she works in the film industry in the United States.

A Cuban’s Story of Changing Times

At 80, Manuel is still a strong and clear-headed man. He wears humble (but clean) attire and speaks without gesticulating, though a certain degree of haughtiness still comes across.

Iya Mezenova: A Russian-Born Cuban Flutist

Iya Mezenova is an established concert musician who, having developed her artistic career in Cuba, carries the great musical talent of the legendary performers of her native land. “I moved to Cuba when I was six years old.”

Cuba’s Bitter-Sweet Cheese Market

“I think cops track us down through smell, like dogs do. There’s no getting rid of the stench of curdled milk that sticks to your body, not even with the best soap,” said Isabel who buys cheese from farmers and sells it illegally in Havana.

The Young Filmmakers Festival Opened Doors for Marcos Menendez

Marcos Menendez competed at last week’s New Filmmakers Festival with his fourth piece, a short, animated film completed in 2014 titled Un dia mas (“Another Day”). The animation, winner of the Latinoamerica en Corto Award at Madrid’s 13th Notodofilmfest Short Film Festival, tells the story of Manolo, a man mired in a daily, alienating routine. In 2011, Menendez had already received a special mention at the festival for his piece Lluvia de estrellas (“Raining Stars”).