Cuba Holds International Symposium on Writer Virgilio Piñera

HAVANA TIMES — Some 40 intellectuals from twelve countries are meeting today at Havana’s Colegio Universitario de San Jeronimo as part of the International Piñera Conference, which is marking the centenary of the birth of the controversial Cuban writer.

Themes associated with facets of the artist as a narrator, poet, playwright, translator, essayist, columnist, critic, editor and cultural promoter will be discussed in eight panels. In addition, discussion will address issues related to Piñera’s private life and his relationship with family, friends and followers.

Piñera (1912-1979), who suffered ostracism on the island due to his homosexuality and anti-establishment views, is considered one of the most outstanding and influential personalities of the 20th century Cuban literary art scene.