And the English Took Havana … Again?

Dmitri Prieto

HAVANA TIMES — The title makes an allusion to what Cuban children used to study in our 4th grade history classes: that day back in the 18th century when Havanans woke up to find themselves living under the “Union Jack” (the common name for the “Union flag”).

This occurred after the city capitulated to the British troops, which — defeating the heroic creole resistance — were left with half of the island … but only for a few months, as fate decided.

Cuba?…in the Commonwealth? That’s not as crazy as it might seem. The idea came to my mind that we could be part of the Commonwealth. I figured that if Mozambique could join, why not Cuba?

But this post isn’t about how to reassemble the remains of the “Empire of the Seas” starting with this little piece of earth… it’s about something more trivial: How recently Cubans have been wearing clothes with the Union Flag on them.

Once again we’ve been invaded by the ubiquitous emblem of the three crosses (St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick – although the Irish say the latter is a Unionist invention) … which often appear poorly delineated, clearly.

First, we see them on the shoddy products “Made in China.” Then, though similarly tacky (though perhaps more authentic!) we find these produced by “self-employed workers” here (see photos).

They’re on bags, sweaters, slippers, sneakers, backpacks, stickers…

What is this, really? Why are we seeing this trend? Is it part of a global trend?

A friend suggested that it’s merely a leftover from last year’s London Olympics, or the marketing of the residue of the excessive pre-Olympic advertising.

Who knows?

It’s retro-fashion in any case.

Completely.

The Malvinas are Argentina’s! But even Argentina — perhaps anti-British by nature? — is a country with soccer teams with colorful names like Boca Juniors, River Plate and Chaco Forever.