Issuing from the special plantations in the western Pinar del Rio Province, these cigars —possessing no rings to indicate their brand— were first produced for the exclusive use by members of the Council of State (to smoke or to hand out as gifts). It was in 1982 that Celia Sanchez Manduley christened them their present name, which is what our indigenous ancestors called rolled tobacco. (25 photos)
Read MoreThe Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra opened its concert “Connections of Jazz between the USA and Cuba” on Wednesday with the “African-American Cuban Suite,” a piece by Cuban-born Chico O’Farril. It was played for the first time in our country and applauded enthusiastically by everyone present. (10 photos)
Read MoreIf you prefer lavish hotels and being pampered by the service staff, I wouldn’t recommend you stay at Havana’s Hotel Deauville. But if your hope is to enjoy a spectacular view of Havana, then I don’t believe there’s a more appropriate place to accomplish that aim.
Read MoreIn addition to the clarinet and all its musical family, Ernesto knows the mysteries of the sax. He composes and on this occasion directed a fine group of young musicians: Michael Olivera (drums), Jorge Luis Pacheco (piano), David Falla (bass) and Alejandro Delgado (trumpet). (15 photos)
Read MoreThe Our Lady of Mercy Church in Old Havana dates back to the 18th and 19th century and was built by the Mercedario Fathers who immigrated to Cuba from Catalonia. Their assets were expropriated by the Medizabal government and expelled from Cuba in 1841. Thus they had to abandon their monumental work, leaving it half finished. (25 photos)
Read MoreThe best thing that can happen to a person when they wake up is to find themself surrounded by song birds; ones that are free, of course, because no joy comes from what a caged bird sings. However, since I arrived in Caracas, the sole thing I’ve heard at dawn is the noise of cars, as well as ambulances and fire trucks— and from time to time the shots from some gang battle that wasn’t resolved the night before. (36 photos)
Read MoreDuring the summer months we have brought you several photo spreads of daily life in the Cuban capital. As fall sets in this latest installment includes more pictures from around Havana capturing the routines and special moments of some of the city’s residents. (78 photos)
Read MoreFor the artists of “Proyecto Huellas” (Project Imprints), the crossroads village of Cantarrana has a special allure. On the block where they decided to establish themselves, they were welcomed with the same naturalness that locals receive the sun in the morning or the pestilent scent of the river that runs nearby.
Read MoreI left home early to capture images in Centro Havana, one of the most populous municipality of the Cuban capital. In the streets life boils. Some people are on their way to work, others going to the store shopping. (24 photos)
Read MoreIt’s easier to fear, stigmatize and segregate people than to understand and help people find the path (the path of each person, not necessarily the one we think is the best). Poverty is one of our biggest fears and our greatest shames; that’s why many think that it’s better to keep it separated from the rest of us. (40 photos)
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