THE © YEAR VI Nº 6 MAR, 17 2016 HAVANA, CUBA avana eporter ISSN 2224-5707 YOUR SOURCE OF NEWS & MORE H R Price: A Bimonthly Newspaper of the Prensa Latina News Agency 1.00 CUC, 1.00 USD, 1.20 CAN
P.3/P.16 P. 6 Cuba-USA Relations Move On
Talks Between Cuba and the Bright Future for Cuba-Austria European Union Show Progress Business Links P.4 P.14
Tourism Cuba Culture Sports Cohiba Celebrates Cuban Communist Prado Museum Project Cuba vs Tampa Bay Golden Anniversary Party Congress in Havana Rays, with Obama as a Witness P. 2 P. 4 P. 6 P. 15 2 TOURISM Cohiba Celebrates Golden Anniversary By FranciscoMENÉNDEZ
HAVANA.- Cohiba, one of Cuba’s and the world´s most important Premium cigar brands held center-stage throughout the recently held XVII Habano Festival in Havana. The annual smoke-fest that ran from February 29 to March 4, attracted a 2,000 strong army of smokers, dealers, artists and journalists from 60 countries - a record number for the event – eager to ascertain why Habanos are the best quality Premium cigars. For some in the know who attended the event, such as taster, Juan José López, a consultant at the Habanos S.A. international corporation, the quality of Cuban tobacco is derived from a combination of climate, variety, soil and the culture passed down by tobacco workers for centuries. Cintra González, added that this represented a 70% and 80% unit and value share respectively. There are presently 140 “Casas del Habano” worldwide that sell Premium Habano cigars and more than 800 Habanos Specialist and 1900 Habano Point retail outlets, an indication of this essentially This is a view supported by participants at the Cuban product’s global expansion. gathering that was also dedicated to the 20th An auction at the closing of the Festival of seven anniversary of the Cuaba and Hoya de Monterrey lots of Premium Cuban cigars raised 865,000 euro; brands. money that will go into Cuba’s health system. The positive impact of this event, above all in A highlight of the auction were the exclusive relation to markets and Cuban trade development, is ‘Cohiba 50 Aniversario (1966-2016)’ series humidors, exemplified by impressive closing and other Festival a brand that emerged subsequent to the triumph of program figures. the Cuban Revolution. Spokespersons for Habanos S.A. revealed that The first of these beautiful collector’s items of the company conducted business worth 428 million furniture for the humidified storage of the 2,500 dollars in 2015, a 4% rise on the previous year growth. aforementioned Cohibas that it contained was sold
PHOTOs: Miguel Guzmán PHOTOs: Habanos S.A. commercial vice-president, Leopoldo having reached a final bid of 320,000 euro.
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To subscribe please contact : Gerencia editorial Prensa Latina www.cubaplusmagazine.com Email: [email protected] Telf. 7833 2279 CUBA 3 Cuba-USA Relations Move On Despite Obstacles By WaldoMENDILUZA Ever since the announcement was made process on the occasion of its first when the Helms-Burton Act took effect. Tom Vilsack, respectively, recognized the on December 17, 2014 by the Presidents anniversary, Vidal said that the two Cuba recognizes Obama’s actions impact of the blockade and agreed on of Cuba and the United States: Raúl countries have made progress in their but reiterates that they do not change the need to bring it to an end. Castro and Barack Obama, about their relations, hence showing a difference the essence of the unilateral sanctions An ever increasing number of people decision to advance in the normalization with previous years. and their objective of asphyxiating the both in the United States and Cuba of bilateral relations, the two countries The Cuban official highlighted the Cuban economy. call to take advantage of the current have made progress. Yet, there are still agreements signed and the possibilities Regarding this, Malmierca recalled panorama to make the rapprochement obstacles on the road as is the case of the for reaching others, as well as the high- that Obama can make decisions process irreversible and boost links blockade on the island. level meetings and visits. that would help improve the current with good prospects in fields such as After various meetings and Presidents Raúl Castro and Obama scenario like lifting the ban on the use tourism, biotechnology, agriculture, talks headed by the Cuban Foreign have met twice: during the 7th Summit of of the U.S. dollar in Cuban transactions, pharmaceutics and the war on drugs. Ministry’s general director of the the Americas held in April in Panama, and opening the U.S. market to Cuban According to the deputy national United States, Josefina Vidal, and the five months later at the UN headquarters products, and letting U.S. companies security adviser for strategic then assistant Secretary of State for in New York. invest in the island. communication for the U.S. president, Western Hemisphere Affairs, Roberta A third meeting will be held this During the Cuban minister’s visit to Benjamin Rhodes, the objective of Jacobson, the two countries re- month in Havana, representing the first the United States, the U.S. Secretaries of Obama’s visit is precisely to continue with established diplomatic relations on visit to Cuba by a U.S. president in nearly Trade and Agriculture, Penny Pritzker and the rapprochement process. July 20, 2015, when they also opened 90 years. their respective embassies in Havana and Washington D.C. THE BLOCKADE AND OTHER Last year, the two governments held OBSTACLES several technical meetings on topics of common interest including the postal Over the past few months, both Cuba service, civil aviation, environmental and the United States have reiterated protection, the fight against drug their will to continue advancing trafficking, law enforcement, toward the normalization of relations migration, telecommunications, and based on mutual respect, mutual rescue operations. benefit and friendly links between These meetings resulted in neighbor countries. the signing of agreements on However, Cuba considers it environmental protection, protected impossible to carry on with the sea areas, the postal service and the normalization of relations as long as restart of direct flights between the two the blockade remains in place and a nations. The latter took effect through a piece of the Cuban territory continues memorandum of understanding signed to be occupied by the U.S. naval base. in Havana. Illegal radio and television broadcasts The agreement signed by U.S. and plans aimed at changing and Secretary of Transportation, Anthony destabilizing the regime also pose Foxx, and Cuban Transportation Minister, obstacles to bilateral relations. Adel Yzquierdo will allow up to 20 In a February visit made to U.S.-Havana flights to operate daily Washington D.C., Cuba’s Foreign Trade and another 10 to and from nine other and Investment Minister Rodrigo Cuban airports. Malmierca denounced that the U.S The dialogue has even worked out blockade imposed on Cuba for more for topics on which the two countries than 50 years is fully in place and noticeably disagree, as is the case for represents an obstacle for mutual links. human rights issues. Malmierca recalled that since the The talks on crucial sectors for the United States made its announcement on two sides were given a major boost December 17, 2014 for the normalization in August with the establishment of a of bilateral relations to take place, it has Bilateral Commission during the visit fined financial institutions millions of made by U.S. Secretary of State, John dollars for having links with Cuba. Kerry. The commission met on September Obama has launched three packages 11 in Havana and on November 10 in of executive measures to ease the Washington D.C. blockade but Congress is the one that When assessing the rapprochement can fully lift it, as it became law in 1996
A Weekly Newspaper of the Prensa Latina News Agency SOCIETY.HEALTH & SCIENCE.POLITICS.CULTURE THE YOUR SOURCE OF NEWS & MORE ENTERTAINMENT.PHOTO FEATURE.ECONOMY HavanaReporter SPORTS.AND MORE President: Luis Enrique González. Graphic Designers: Laura Reyes. Publisher: Agencia Informativa Latinoamericana, Information Vice President: Víctor M. Carriba. Chief Graphic Editor: Alejangro Gómez Prensa Latina, S.A. Editorial Vice President: Maitté Marrero Canda. Advertising: Irina Hernández Calle E, esq. 19 No. 454, Vedado, La Habana-4, Cuba. Chief Editor: Ilsa Rodríguez. Circulation: Commercial Department. Telephone: (53)7838-3496 / 7832-3578 Fax: (53)7833-3068 Translation: Dayamí Interián/ Sean J. Clancy/Caris Brooks Printing: Imprenta Federico Engels. E-mail: [email protected] 4 CUBA Cuban Communist Party Congress Aims to Perfect Socialism By ErnestoVERA
Commission to consider those nominated and to seek the views of their co-workers. As a result of this process, 43.2% of those who will participate are women, 84% of whom are university graduates. Their average age is 48 and 55 of them are less than 35 years old. This selection phase followed workplace meetings and municipal, district and provincial Party structured PHOTO: Courtesy of cubadebate.cu PHOTO: PHOTO: Courtesy of cadenaagramonte.cu PHOTO: elections between September and Between April 16 and 18 this year, the deepening, sustainability and prosperity documents which will be taken into December of last year. Cuban Communist Party, engrossed of the system for development chosen by consideration and approved at the Party’s With the participation of 1,500,000 in the ongoing update of the social Cubans more than fifty years ago. congress held at the Havana Convention people, not all of whom were Party and economic model, will hold its VII Although every economic and social Center. activists, a general evaluation of the Congress, the objective of which is to sector - including the non-state ones National People’s Power Assembly compliance with the Guidelines and the perfect socialism. – will be represented, on this occasion (Parliament) deputies, union leaders, objectives approved at the PCC’s First Following an extensive popular delegates for agriculture will account for young people, representatives of social Conference was made at these meetings. consultation process, the one thousand a majority of the thousand participating. and mass organizations, and leaders of They also looked at work with the delegates elected this time around will Indeed, the essential requisites of administrative and other institutions will younger generation and the confrontation evaluate the implementation of the the selection process ensure that all participate in these debates. of manifestations of subversion and other Economic and Social Guidelines of the the country’s communist activists are In June 2015, all PCC groups began negative tendencies such as corruption, Party and the Revolution, approved at the represented and that participation to nominate delegate candidates and it illegalities and social indiscipline. First Conference of the Cuban Communist increasingly reflects the respective areas is from within these same structures that The examination of these issues, Party (PCC in Spanish) five years ago. of origin. propositions were first conceived. with a focus on the responsibility of the The last Congress, held in 2011, Since March 1, delegates have Later, Municipal Committees took the Party, will undoubtedly form part of the adopted measures to guarantee the organized meetings to consult responsibility of selecting an Electoral forthcoming Congress.
principles of reciprocity, full respect for Talks Between the equal sovereignty of the two States, the legal frameworks and institutional orders of the parties and full adherence to non- Cuba and the interference in the internal affairs of the nations. Christian Leffler, chief negotiator for European Union the European Union team, indicated that once established, the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Accord between the two sides Show Progress would supercede the so called “Common Position”. The Deputy Secretary General for HAVANA.- At their close in Havana, the Economic and Global Affairs of the European Cuban Foreign Ministry announced that External Action Service added that talks to substantial progress had been made at attain a bilateral framework are being held the VII round of the negotiations that independently of this Common Position. commenced in April 2014 between Cuba The Common Position – a restrictive and the E.U., for the establishment of a policy on interactions with the Island agreed Political Dialogue and Cooperation Accord in 1996 and still in effect - has meant that between both sides. Vladimir Molina PHOTOs: Cuba is one of very few countries that does According to Cuba’s Deputy Minister to coercive extra-territorial measures, such focus on certain topics, critical issues such as not have an accord of this type with the E.U. of Foreign Affairs, the two sides have as the economic blockade imposed for migration and above all, on the readmission During the round of negotiations advanced significantly in the convention more than half a century on the Island by to Cuba of citizens illegally in E.U. countries, recently concluded, Leffler said that the of all components of the aforementioned the U.S. had existed throughout the talks. details of the chapters on political dialogue instrument. He added that “the document, The principal purpose of the accord, In answer to a question about and cooperation, sectoral policy and other subject to the requisite political verifications, which includes chapters dedicated to differences on the issue of human rights, aspects, had been discussed. now only lacked certain clarifications”. political dialogue and cooperation, trade Moreno said that the two sides had agreed The European representative added The experienced diplomat explained and commercial cooperation and sectoral on commitments to protect and promote that the talks had taken place in a very that the document’s preamble is political in policies, is to strengthen Havana’s relations all such rights contained in the international positive and constructive atmosphere that nature, in that it reaffirms Cuba’s sovereignty, with the Community. instruments of which both are part. reflected the willingness of both sides to independence and territorial integrity and Referring to the political talks, the Deputy The Deputy Minister added that the deal make fast and substantial progress towards proclaims the European Union’s opposition Minister outlined that different points of reached encapsulated the their future conclusion. HEALTH & SCIENCE 5 Paddling from the Amazon to the Caribbean Again By AlfredoBOADA to encourage the continuation of that project amid the scientist’s daughter new pro-integration context in Latin America and the and current president Caribbean. It also aims to help boost comprehensive and of the foundation, told sustainable development and promote the exchange The Havana Reporter. of experiences on environmental culture through He wanted to prove the theory about the settling of academic forums. indigenous communities along the Amazon River basin, The program of activities will begin in Misahualli -the she explained. Ecuadorian indigenous community from where the Five canoes built using the original techniques covered expedition first left in 1987- with conferences, screenings the route, while the scientific studies conducted during of documentaries, collections, among other initiatives. the journey were included in two books: En canoa del Similar activities have been scheduled for the Amazon Amazonas al Caribe (Canoeing from the Amazon to localities of Iquitos (Peru), Leticia (Colombia), Manaos the Caribbean) and En canoa por el Mar de las Antillas (Brazil), Ciudad Bolívar (Venezuela) and Santo Domingo, (Canoeing through the Sea of the Antilles). the organizers for the event informed. ”That was one of the most important scientific Led by Dr. Antonio Núñez Jimenez, the first one year long expeditions organized by Cuba, because it brought expedition covered 17, 422 kilometers through 20 Latin together scientists from Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, American and Caribbean countries, and involved some Venezuela, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, 300 researchers from the region. and St. Lucia,“ said Cuban geographer Ángel Graña, The late outstanding Cuban geographer, archaeologist member of the expedition. and speleologist made sure that the journey, which The journey proved that the trip from the basins of the Sections of the canoeing expedition from the Amazon finished in June 1988 in San Salvador, Bahamas, had Orinoco and Amazon Rivers to the Caribbean islands to the Caribbean will be covered again as part of a regional character with his objective being to bring could be done using indigenous canoes, added Graña. celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of that science and culture together, particularly nature and In addition, the expedition made valuable contributions journey, the Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation for anthropology. in terms of regional flora and fauna, and highlighted the Nature and Man announced in Havana. „He wanted to give the vision of an America explored cultural, ethnic and natural richness of the Amazon and The institution will carry out different activities in 2017 and studied by regional scientists,” Liliana Núñez, the the Caribbean. Connecting Societies By Ana LauraARBESÚ
International Conference on Computer Sciences and Information Technology, the International Congresses on Information Technology in Health and Education, and the 5th International Symposium on Community, Entertainment and Social Networks. The theoretical program comprises several lectures and round table talks, one of them about the process of the computerization of the Cuban society, given by the Cuban Deputy Minister of Information Technology and Communications, Jorge Luis Perdomo. As usual, the Pabexpo exhibition The process of the computerization site will host a trade fair, this time with of the Cuban society, multimedia, free six key topics: computing solutions, software and social networks are some of telecommunications, software, the main topics of the 16th International electronics, automation and medical Information Technology Convention and equipment. Fair, 2016, which welcomes specialists Cuba will present various projects from more than 20 countries. such as the implementation of digital Conectando sociedades (Connecting terrestrial television on the island, while Societies) is the slogan of this event, the University of Computer Sciences which attracts the attention of experts (UCI) will present a comprehensive from nine Latin American countries: statistic management system (SIGE), a Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, software for the comprehensive health Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Brazil and system (SIS), and the ORION search tool. Cuba, the host, as well as from the United According to the organizing States and Canada. committee, the 2016 International Europe is represented by specialists Convention and Fair set to take place from Spain, Belgium, France, Russia, March 14 to 18 provides room for a Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Holland, consensual approach: to use information Hungary and Germany. and communications technologies as a The academic program comprises means for attaining development and around 15 events, among them, the 3rd technological sovereignty for the people. 6 CULTURE
“Bailando con Margot” Movie Pitches for Genre Status By AlainPLANELLS The World Premiere and general release of the film references, the reason for which Bailando con Margot “Bailando con Margot” (Dancing With Margot) could seems to repeatedly wink at cinematic history in an happen no other way and in no other place than in the almost personal tribute that returns to cinema something cinema. it once gave away. The film will be screened nationwide on Cuba’s He told a press conference that this meant that he premiere circuit in March as part of its director’s endeavors found it necessary to carefully modulate the tone of the to create a genre film, for which he considers it necessary crosses of genre and that he consequently preferred to let to be viewed and listened to at the cinema. himself be guided by his adventurous characters in order Even if today´s audiovisual offers tend to be enjoyed to avoid overstated generic shifts. in the comfort of one’s home, the Cuban movie, “Bailando The filmmaker also stressed that dramaturgical advice con Margot”, really does warrant being seen and heard in had been both inevitable and fundamental, obliging him the unique surroundings of a traditional cinema. to insistently revise texts, dialogues and entire sections of Arturo Santana hopes the premiere will be a laudable his script. and aesthetically attractive experience for viewers thanks The actors themselves, Mirtha Ibarra, Edwin Fernández, to the influence of visuals and mysticism reminiscent Max Álvarez and Niu Ventura agreed that the visual and of the first decades of the twentieth century and upon cultural innuendos had allowed each of them to take on which he presents his story. their respective characters. The plot of this film transcends various eras, but is Edwin Fernández, in the role of a Humphrey Bogart- primarily set following the theft of a valuable painting like private eye with Havana gangster undertones, from the house of wealthy widow Margot de Zárate in emphasized the director’s trust in a cast that was venturing Havana, on New Years Eve night, 1958. into feature length terrain for the very first time. With Margot as the femme fatale and on-scene In addition to the production, the Bailando con investigator, many references to cine noir are made Margot photography, visual effects and music emerge through seven structured fragments which include a first as great successes, thanks to the Rembert Egües contest person narrative to establish its genre credentials. that identified the script’s potential to traverse a range of Entered in the First Works category at the last Havana genres. International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, sporting cinema genres. The different eras made subtle suggestions to Egües the film is the fruition of an idea that stemmed from In his dual role as both director and screenwriter, who went with danzon, bolero, mambo, jazz and foxtrot to the context and that evolved from being about boxing Arturo Santana, is insistent on his use of la Nouvelle vague, create a musical score that would star as another ‘actor’ in to finally becoming a fusion of the neonoir, musical and cine noir and Mexican 1940s and 50s-based cinematic the film as opposed to simple background music. Prado Museum Project in Havana By AlainPLANELLS
led by students from the University of Havana’s Faculty of Arts and Letters, that cater for every type of audience, especially children and young people. During the opening ceremony, The Spanish Ambassador in Cuba, Juan Francisco Montalbán, praised the magnificent selection and the collaboration between and roles played by the embassy’s Cultural Council and Cuban cultural institutions, especially the Office of the City Historian. The diplomat told The Havana Reporter that through the exhibition “we can join this fantastic part of the city, a World Heritage Site with these art works from the Prado Museum, which we also consider to be a part of the Hispanic world’s heritage.” Montalbán said that the exhibition was “an added attraction for visitors to Havana, but above all, an opportunity for cultural enjoyment and celebration for PHOTOs: FERVAL PHOTOs: each and every person who comes to admire the works Havana’s facades have been impregnated with the colors and to learn about universal painting.” and styles of the European schools of painting, through Onedys Calvo, director of the Cuba-Europe Cutural an exhibition at the city’s “Castillo de la Real Fuerza” (Royal Relations Interpretation Center, highlighted the possibility Forces Castle), of 50 Prado Museum reproductions, in of complimenting the exhibition with conferences and what is the fifth year of the „Prado on the Streets“ project. visits arranged through the institution she directs. Between the months of March and May, the public She pointed out that “this experience can be of benefit can enjoy 53 exceptionally true copies of masterpieces to both the Art History students who are gaining pre- representative of the Spanish, Italian and Flemish Schools, professional experience and the public who can become from the prestigious gallery’s collection. familiar with the works on show in a unique way.” Catalogued by the director of the Iberian cultural According to Calvo, this exhibition also has a positive institution as “in some ways a ‘virtual’ journey through the impact on the community, because in keeping with rich collection of paintings”, the Prado Museum exhibition new communications strategies that redefine the limits in Havana gives its visitors the opportunity to appreciate of exhibition space to more open and less solemn renowned works by Diego Velázquez, Francisco de Goya, environments, it makes the social representation of the Caravaggio, El Bosco, Durero and Rembrandt. museum collection more accessible. The project, launched in 2011 by the Network of The Cuban capital is the first on the planned itinerary Cultural Centers of the Spanish Agency for International for 2016 which also includes Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Cooperation and Development (Aecid in Spanish), can Panamá, Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay, as well as the also be complimented by conferences and guided tours, Philippines and Equatorial Guinea. CULTURE 7 SPOTLIGHT ON Puerto Rican Daniel Santos Great Contributor to Cuban Music By CiroBIANCHI ROSS Very few singers have been able to Lara, Cuidadito, compay gallo by Ñico combine Puerto Rican and Cuban Saquito, and Dos gardenias by Isolina music to create one single style like Carrillo. Puerto Rican Daniel Santos did. His Some events that took place in Cuba, long connection with the best Cuban and particularly in Havana, inspired the music of the 1940s and 50s provided his singer to write his over 400 pieces, he musical work with a markedly Cuban said. The best of them is said to be the style, hence earning him true fame one called Amigotes, which is inspired among the great performers of Cuban by the city’s night life. music in the 20th century. It was at the end of 1946 when the Daniel Santos wrote his song singer met with the then powerful Sierra Maestra on a napkin in a bar in owner of RHC Cadena Azul radio station, Maracaibo, Venezuela, in 1957. No one Amado Trinidad, in Havana. The meeting wanted to record it in Caracas and he resulted in the signing of a contract with had to record it in New York. He was the radio station. His debut was a lucky paid for the first 1,000 copies of the strike. The first song performed that day album which he gradually sold and was Anacobero, by Puerto Rican Andrés a few copies were sent to Cuba. The Tallada. The broadcaster mistakenly guerrilla was given access to one of announced Daniel as the «anacobero». those copies and began playing it on Ever since then people referred to him their radio station, Radio Rebelde. As using that nickname, with which he for all its shows. It was precisely those considered by many people as one of a result, Daniel Santos was accused of became widely known in Cuba as well. demanding audiences who began the greatest Cuban bands of all times. being a communist and a close friend Cubans added the adjective ‘restless’ to ‘shaping’ Daniel Santos as one of the The Anacobero himself once said of Fidel Castro. his nickname, because it pretty much best Spanish-speaking singers of that “some people say that I created the In the first days of January 1959, defined the singer’s personality and time, featuring as a great performer of Sonora Matancera orchestra; others say Daniel Santos witnessed the rebel character. His peculiar way of singing Cuban music, according to musicologist that Sonora Matancera made me who army’s triumphal entry into Havana and had impressed the people of Havana, Olavo Alén. I am today. I think that we benefited he returned to Cuba some years later. the same way in which the artist had After signing the contract with RHC from each other…” The truth is that He then realized that the social course been impressed by the city. Cadena Azul, the performer was faced Daniel Santos became very famous the island was taking largely contrasted Which part of Havana had impressed with ups and downs. At the Radio with the first disc he recorded with with his interests. He left again and Daniel Santos in the 1940s? The Havana Progreso station, he sang accompanied that band, producing timeless pieces never came back to the country that of fabulous cabarets and exotic women; by the Sonora Matancera band, which is such as: Noche de ronda by Agustín made him so famous. the Havana of demanding audiences Scandalous Romance in 20th Century Cuba By CossetLAZO Catalina Laza’s blue eyes looked her jewelry onto the stage. of it being a rose made of pink petals concerned in the presence of Incidents like these led the couple born from a graft and baptized with the Juan Pedro Baró at a party during to leave Cuba to find shelter in France, name Catalina Laza. the first half of the 20th century: where they got married under French When the construction of the this is how one of the most laws and they swore their eternal love property was finalized during the late transgressive Cuban romances of to each other facing the tomb of Romeo 1920s, the aristocracy that had rejected and Juliet. them now adulated them. The couple Catalina and Juan Pedro wished left behind all possible hard feelings for their relationship to be given the and opened up to a happiness which Divine blessing and for this very reason did not last for many years due to the they went to the Vatican and met with fragile health of the lady. the Pope Benedict XV, who, knowing On December 3, 1930, in the arms of the details entrusted God with their her lover, Catalina’s ‘forever indigo’ look feelings. disappeared. In 1917, the then President of This time, Juan Pedro ordered for a the Republic of Cuba, Mario García mournful altar to be built with a dome Menocal signed the Divorce law and that projected the rose of Catalina Laza officially registered the separation of through its windows. shortly after, they made this feeling Catalina Laza and her first husband Located in the Necropolis de public which defined them as one Luis Estévez Abreu. Colón in Havana, the semicircular flesh. On hearing the news, the couple chapel made of white marble and The social rejection they returned to Havana and as a token black granite exhibits two angels suffered became crueler and crueler of his love, Juan Pedro financed the knelt at its doors. and on one occasion they went to construction of the mansion in the Catalina was taken to the the theater and their mere presence Cuban capital which is now called monument on April 21, 1932, where that time began. made spectators leave one by one until la Casa de la Amistad (The House of she was buried with all her jewels Without weighing up her social the hall was left completely empty. Friendship). just like a queen. A decade after, Juan responsibilities, she – a married mother- The lovers were left alone in the With many eccentricities, the Pedro’s burning heart stopped beating of-two– broke the apparent harmony in dimly-lit hall and the actors offered eclectic style mansion was erected, and he had requested to be ‘buried’ her marriage. them an exquisite show which Catalina built with Italian marble and sand from standing, in order to watch over, even Laza and Baró became lovers and expressed her gratitude for by throwing the Nile, with the most attractive part in death, the eternal sleep of his lover. 8 ENTERTAINMENT& LISTINGS
THEATER
*Note: theater companies are in parentheses
Raquel Revuelta
(THR is not responsible for any changes made by sponsoring organizations) GETTINGBasílica Menor San Museo Nacional de la AROUND By MaylínZALDIVAR [email protected] Francisco de Asís Música (Museum of Music) Calle Obrapía e/ Bernaza y Villegas. Habana Vieja. Tel: 7 RECOMMENDS 863-9862. • The Thu. Mar. 17 (5pm): Pancho National Amat’s club and guests. Wed. 23 Folklore (5pm): Singer Elina Calvo. Ensemble at the Palenque. Casa de Africa
Sala Adolfo Llauradó Centro Cultural Fresa Y Calle 11 e/ D y E. Vedado. Tel: 7 Chocolate 832-5373. Tue. Mar. 22, 29, Wed. 23, 30 and Thu. 24, 31 (7pm): Eclipse (Jazz Vilá).
Línea esq. B, Vedado. Tel: 7 833- Sala Sótano 0225. Fri. Mar. 18, 25, Sat. 19, 26 Calle K e/ 25 y 27. Vedado. Plaza and Sun. 20, 27 (8.30pm): Sonata de la Revolución. Tel: 7 832- Oficios e/ Amargura y Churruca, para un hombre bueno (Sonata 0630.Tue. Mar. 22, 29, Wed. 23, Habana Vieja. Tel: 7 862-9683. for a Good Man) (El Paso 30 and Thu. 24, 31 (6pm): Malos Sat. Mar.19 (6pm): Amadeo Teatro). presagios (A Bad Omen) (Rita Roldán quartet. Sat. 26 (6pm): Obra Pía e/ San Ignacio y Montaner Theater Company). Performance by Camerata Mercaderes. Habana Vieja. Tel: Sala Argos Teatro Fri. 18, 25, Sat. 19, 26 (8.30pm) Romeu chamber orchestra. 861-5798. Thu. Mar. 24 (10am): Ayestarán y 20 de mayo. Plaza and Sun. 20, 27 (5pm): Frágil, Singer Raúl Iglesias performs at de la Revolución. Tel: 7 878- frágil (Fragile, Fragile) Directed Oratorio San Felipe Neri “Con Amor” (With Love) Club. 5551. Fri. Mar. 18, 25, Sat. 19, 26 by Ariel Gil. (8.30 pm) and Sun. 20, 27 (5pm): Plaza de Armas Locos de Amor (Crazy in Love) MUSIC Obispo y Mercaderes.Habana (Argos Teatro). MUSIC Vieja. Tel:7 860-9530. Fri. Mar. 18, 25 (4pm): National Concert Trianón Teatro Nacional (National Band. Conductor: Igor Corcuera. Theater) Calle 23 e/ 12 y 14. Vedado. Tel: Antiguo Casino Español (Former 7 836-20-96. Wed. Mar. 23 (5pm): Spanish Casino) Singer Marta Sánchez and Paseo del Prado esq. Ánimas. guitarist Jesús Fleites perform. Centro Habana. Sala Ignacio Cervantes. Sun. March. 20 (6pm): Pabellón Cuba Lontano Duo.
Patio Bar -Egrem San Miguel e/ Campanario y Lealtad. Centro Habana. Tel: 7 864-2006. Wed. Mar. 23, 30 (5pm): “El Caimán Barbudo” (The Bearded Alligator) club Calle Línea e/ Paseo y A. Vedado. featuring Ihosvany Bernal, Tel: 7 831-9304Fri. Mar. 18, 25, Calle Aguiar esq. Obrapía. Samuel Águila, Diego Cano, Sat. 19, 26 (8.30pm) and Sun. Habana Vieja. Tel: 7 862-3243. Juan Carlos Pérez and Benito de 20, 27 (5pm): Decamerón (El Wed. Mar.16 (7pm): Vassar la Fuente (trova music). Fri. 18, público). College and D’ Profundis Choirs 25 (4pm): Rumberos de Cuba Loma y 39, Plaza de la perform, directed by Ladys folk band. Centro Cultural Bertolt Revolución Tel: 7 878-5590. Sotomayor. Brecht Sala Covarrubias. Sat. Mar. 27 Palacio de la Rumba Calle 13 esquina a I. Vedado. Tel: (8.30pm): German Duo Lontano Museo Nacional de Bellas Calle San José e/ Aramburu y 7 832-9359. Tue. 22, 29, Wed. 23, performs. Artes (National Museum of Soledad. Centro Habana. Tel: 30, Thu. 24, 31 (7pm): Infame Calle 23 esq. N, Vedado. Tel: 7 Fine Arts) 7 873-0990. Tue. Mar. 22, 29 (Despicable) (La Bernarda). Sala Casa del Alba Cultural 832- 4921. Fri. Mar. 18, 25 (5pm): Calle Refugio e/ Zulueta y (4pm): Septeto Habanero band Tito Junco. Fri. Mar. 18, Sat. 19 Calle Línea e/ C y D, Vedado. Silvio Alejandro (trova music) Monserrate. Habana Vieja. Tel: performs.Thu.17, 24 (10pm): (8.30pm) and Sun. 20 (5pm): Tel: 7 833-2151.Sun. Mar. 20 performs. Guests: Juan Carlos 7 861-0241. Edificio de Arte Soul Party Festival Hip Hop Djs. La Piñata (The Piñata) (Teatro (5pm): “Tardes Líricas” (Lyrical Pérez and Erick Méndez. Cubano. Sat. Mar. 20 (7pm): Caribeño). Fri. 18, 25, Sat. 19, 26 Afternoons) Club directed by ADROID band performs (electro Palenque (8.30pm) and Sun. 20, 27 (5pm): Ramón Centeno. Thu. 24 (6pm): Casa Balear acoustic music). Mar. 20 (11am): Calle 17, e/ 174 & 180, Siboney, El maestro y la Ninpha (The “El canto de todos” (Everybody’s Calle G e/ 23 y 21. Vedado. Tel: Performance by Cantoría Mi- Playa, La Habana. Tel: 7.208.4479 Teacher and the Nymph) (Teatro Song) Club with Vicente Feliú 7 830-4524. Sun. Mar. 27 (4pm): Sol band. Directed by Claudia Sat. Mar. 19 & 26 (3pm): Nacional del Silencio). (trova music). Gloria Matancera band. Moreno. Folklore Ensemble. ENTERTAINMENT& LISTINGS 9
GETTING CentroAROUND Cultural Carpa Factoría Habana Casa de la Obra Pía Café TV del Focsa Dos Gardenias Trompoloco Calle 17 e/ N y M. Vedado. Tel: Calle 7ma y 26. Playa Miramar. Calle 5ta y 112, Playa. Tel: Fri. Mar. Wed. March.23, 30 & Thu. 24 Tel: 7 204-9517. Tue. Mar. 22, 29 25 (7pm): Maikel Blanco and his (10pm): Singer Pedro Jorge (10pm): Singers Héctor Téllez, salsa mayor. Sat. 19, 26 (10pm): Gómez Llerena (salsa) Tue. 22, Freddy Vera, Mundito González, PMM in Concert. 29 & Sat.19, 26 (10pm): Singer Ela Calvo, Cary D` Castro and Alex Bell. Elizabeth D` Gracia; pianist MUSEUMS AND Carlos Gaitán and guitarist MUSEUMSGALLERIES AND GALLERIES Club La Zorra y el Cuervo Onexis Solano, among other guests. Casa Oswaldo Guayasamín DANCE DANCE
Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso. Paseo de Martí esq. boulevard San Rafael. Centro Habana.Tel: Calle O´ Reilly e/ Habana 7 861-7391. Sala García Lorca. y Aguiar. Habana Vieja. Tel: Fri. Mar. 18, Sat. 19 (8.30pm) and 7 864-9518. Throughout Obrapía e/ Mercaderes y Sun. 20 (5pm): Dionaea, Celeste March: Signs exposition. Art San Ignacio, Habana Vieja. and Paquita by Ballet Nacional and industry and vice versa, Tel: 7 861-3097. Thu. Mar. 17 de Cuba (Cuba’s National Ballet). reunites objects, texts, artifacts, (5.30pm): Opening of the photographs, ceramics, graphic exhibition “Ethos- Sociedad Teatro Nacional de Cuba work, videos and printed consumista que me consumes” Loma y 39. Plaza de la materials, with the aim to (Ethos-Consumer society that Revolución. Tel: 7 878-5590. make the creative experiences Consumes me) by Eurico Borges. Sala Avellaneda. Del 14-31: stand out. A balanced fusion Curator: Yanet Oviedo Matos. Calle 23 y O, Vedado. Tel: 7 Encuentro Internacional de of art, design and industry is 833-2402. Sun. Mar. 16 (11pm): Academias para la enseñanza created alongside the particular Palacio de Lombillo Canela band performs (jazz). del Ballet (Internacional Calle Obrapía e/ Oficios y elements of the arquitectural Academy Meeting for Ballet Mercaderes. La Habana Vieja. Tel: and urbanistic scene. Club Submarino Amarillo Teaching) 7 861- 3843. Throughout March: Calle 17 esq. 12, Vedado, Pottery exhibition of Carchi Habana. Tel: 7 830-6808. Sat. Mar. Espacio Barcelona Habana culture, Ecuador. Casa Natal José Martí 19 (11pm): La Tierra del Cover Águila esquina a Barcelona. (House where José Martí was band. Wed. 16 (9pm): Dimensión Centro Habana. Wed. Mar. 16, Castillo de la Real Fuerza born) Vertical rock band. (7pm): Flamenca por dentro (Castle of the Royal Force) (Flamenco inside) (Ecos Casa de la Música de Flamenco). Galiano Galiano e/ Neptuno y Concordia, Centro Habana. Tel: 7 862-4165. Special Concert by Tue. Mar.22, 29 (11pm): El Niño y la Verdad band performs. The Rolling Stones
Casa de la Música de Miramar Calle 5ta y 94. Miramar. Tel: 7 203-7676. Salón te Quedarás. Sat. Mar. 26 (11pm): Osain del Monte folk band. Calle Empedrado, esq. Mercaderes. Habana Vieja. Diablo Tun Tun. Tel: 7 861- 5798. Throughout Calle 5ta y 94. Miramar. Tel: 7 March: Exhibition “Secuencia” 203-7676. Mon. Mar.21, 28, Calle O’Reilly e/ Avenida del (Sequence) by Robin Pau. (11pm): Singer Rosaliz and Puerto y Tacón. Habana Vieja. Calle Paula e/ Egido y Picota, guests. Sat.19, 26 (11pm): Gens Tel: 7 864-4490.Throughout Habana Vieja. Tel: 7 861-3778. NIGHTCLUBS & rock band. Sun.20, 27 (11pm): March: Exhibition of toys and Throughout March: Photo NIGHTCLUBSCABARETS & CABARETS Los Takson rock band. small ceramic products on exhibition “De Martí a Fidel, de archaeological sites in Havana, Dos Ríos al Moncada, hasta la Hotel Habana Libre Sauce from the 16th to the 18th Victoria Siempre” (From Marti to Calle 23 y M. Vedado. Tel: 7 Calle 9na e/ 120 y 130, centuries, miniature crockery, Fidel, from Dos Rios to Moncada, 834-6100. El Turquino. Tue. Mar. Cubanacán. Playa. Tel: 7 204- whistles, human figures Forever onward to Victory) by 22, 29 (11pm): Nelson Manuel 7114. Sun. Mar. 20, 27 (5pm): in the Coliseum of the Ciudad and ceramic animals would Julio Ángel Larramendi Joa, y la Corte band performs. Wed. Club “Máquina de la Melancolía” Deportiva (Vía Blancay Boyeros, sporadically appear on these curatorship by the National 23, 30 (11pm): Caribe Girls all- with trova musician Frank Cerro, La Habana) on March 25, sites. Heritage Council. female band. Delgado. 2016 at 8pm. 10 CULTURE Cuban Reggaeton Stars on the Rise By RafaelGORDO With their unique mastery of the stage, Enrique Iglesias on the night of April 3, in their combination of low and high-pitched Quito, Ecuador, in a show that will combine voices and music that has nothing to do Spanish and Latin American rhythms. with the vulgarity often associated with Following the Eurasian tour, the group reggaeton, Gente de Zona, having attained will head to Las Vegas to participate in the international acclaim, launched their first Billboard Music Awards, for which they Cuban tour at the end of February. have received four nominations in 2016. The tour included the cities of Santa In 2014, Gente de Zona won three Latin Clara, Camagüey and Santiago de Cuba, Grammys and were nominated for six where thousands of fans enjoyed the Billboards in 2015 for their song, Bailando, carefully organized shows, as much for recorded together with compatriot the billing and choreography as for the Descemer Bueno and Spaniard, Enrique technological displays by PMM Studios and Iglesias, which last year rose to number 13 the Havana Club rum company. on the Hispanic music hit list. Gente de Zona director, Alexander The group was formed as the result of Delgado, told The Havana Reporter gatherings by local amateur musicians in that he was very happy to have fulfilled the year 2000 by its present director and the dream of performing live for his home Michel “El Caro”, in Havana’s Alamar district. crowd, where the warmth of the public is FERVAL PHOTO: They first gained recognition for the “Lo beyond compare. collaborations with Cuban artists is due for the duo with dates in Spain, France, Holland mejor que suena ahora” (The Best Sounds of Fellow Cuban and composer of their release at the end of this year, or early 2017. and Israel added to their forthcoming Now) disc, featuring their then rapper Jacob most recent hit-song, La Traidora (The Prior to that production however, their international tour to promote the CD that Forever who left the group to embark on a Traitor), Leoni Torres, with whom they most recent disc, Visualízate, on which they includes performances by artists such as solo career in 2013. already made a new single, joined the band have been working for the past two years, Pitbull, Marc Anthony and Juan Magán. Gente de Zona, now comprising as a guest artist on their tour of the Island. will be released on April 22 with the Sony Band member, Randy Malcom told THR Alexander Delgado and Randy Malcom Delgado told a press conference Music record label. that before setting out on the Asian and fuse Cuba reggaeton with other rythms in Camaguey that an album featuring This has been a productive month for European tour, they are due to perform with such as salsa and merengue. Dancing to the Beat of the Drums in Cuba By IbisFRADE
With the objective of preserving the origin of Cuba’s percussion music, musician Giraldo Piloto has been organizing the Drum Festival for 15 years now, with international performers in attendance as well. Artists from Cuba, Venezuela, Spain, Canada, Chile and Japan gathered in Havana from March 1 to 6 to take part in the event, which is aimed at preserving the values of Cuban percussion music and its different influences, according to Piloto. The Cuban musician also noted that the idea is to spread the new values of drum-related music throughout other parts of the world. This festival shows the continuation of the legacies inherited from the different cultures that have influenced the Cuban nationality, he added. “The event is a tribute to the influences exerted by African and international rhythms on the Cuban culture.” This edition of the festival was especially dedicated to young people, “because they have at their fingertips the possibility to preserve the legacy and the most Nasrine Rahmani (Spain). genuine drum tradition in Cuba,” he explained. The percussionists from Cuba included Roberto With a mix of African and Spanish accents, the Fonseca and Alain Pérez. opening gala honored the roots of percussion music The events held in parallel to the Drum Festival in Cuba with the show La Danza y el Tambor (Dance included an international percussion competition with and Drum) performed by the National Folkloric the objective of promoting the Cuban way of playing Company, Habana Compas Dance Company, Rakatán drums, a rumba competition (held for the first time) , and the Santiago Alfonso and Irene Rodríguez and the third edition of the casino dance contest. dance companies. In addition to the music and dance shows, the event Yoruba African deities featured in many of the pieces made room for masterclasses like the one taught by performed by the National Folkloric Company, recalling the member of the Chicago Wally de los Reyes band at the traditions brought to Cuba by the African people, Havana’s Sala Avenida. who were enslaved during the Spanish colonization. Similarly, Pete Lockett talked about Indian The Teatro Mella (theater) was the venue for the percussion and Alex Acuña about his experiences with main shows, which brought performers from different the Weather Report Project. countries together on stage such as Alex Acuña and The 2016 Drum Festival celebrated 15 years of Walfredo de los Reyes Jr. (USA), Pete Lockett (United work dedicated to rescuing and promoting traditional Kingdom), Aldo Mazza (Canada), Rodrigo Iter Quintero Cuban music, which displays a mix of Spanish and
PHOTOs: Manuel Muñoa PHOTOs: (Chile), Kono Project (Japan), El Flamenco Project and African rhythms. PHOTO FEATURE 11 SANTIAGO DE CUBA’S MYSTICAL CASTLE By Roberto F. CAMPOS
Known as both Saint Peter of the Rock potential of the site on which it stands. Castle and Morro Castle, this military The Morro of Santiago has since fortress in Santiago de Cuba was granted been rebuilt a number of times, most World Heritage Site status in 1998. significantly by military engineer, Juan Santiago’s renaissance Morro Castle by Pedro de la Roca y Borja, the Governor Martín Cermeño after it had been was built in 1638 to protect the city from of the province. virtually destroyed by two earthquakes that gave the castle its present form. naval attack, an idea originally conceived It was the famous Italian engineer, in 1758 and 1766. It was this remodeling The fort, a “must-see” for visitors to Bautista Antonelli, -- who had also built Cuba’s heroic city of Santiago, stands 74m some of Cuba’s most important forts, above sea level, from where it proudly such as those of Havana – who directed displays its walls and history. the design and building work so as to fully exploit the offensive and defensive 12 POLITICS Labour Elected to Govern a Crime and Austerity Weary Jamaica By YolaidyMARTÍNEZ
The Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) have the next five years. return for loans to finance their public been re-elected to govern under the To this end, there are proposals obligations and budgets. watchful eye of an electorate seduced for the reform of Government, the A bilateral accord made in 2013 by promises of prosperity, but fed up multiplication of public-private permits the FMI to lend the island with the crime, poverty and austerity partnerships, the creation of 250,000 – whose authorities in return have imposed by the International Monetary new jobs, lower taxes and higher since had to introduce very unpopular Fund (IMF). salaries, the creation of a new system measures -- 932,000,000 dollars over On February 25, the opposition party of taxation that favors companies, and four years. unseated the Popular National Party the promotion of finance for small and The Labour leader is taking over a (PNP) of the now former Prime Minister medium-sized enterprises. nation with 1.1 million people living in Portia Simpson-Miller, having taken 32 Amongst others, there are plans poverty, a youth unemployment rate of of the 63 House of Representatives seats. for the regeneration of urban centers, 38% and very high crime rates. Labour’s eighth victory was however the modernization of the water supply Another challenge of his will be to the result of a poll with the highest infrastructure, the computerization keep afloat the light economic recovery abstention rate ever recorded; only of state archives, the processing of that his predecessor Simpson-Miller 47.7% of 1.8 million on the register cast company paperwork over the internet managed to achieve, who from the their votes. and the conversion of Jamaica into the opposing bench warned that she would Analysts consider that the low turn- Silicon Valley of the Caribbean. not let the new Executive undo the out sends a clear message to the new Many question how Holness will progress made during the last few years. Prime Minister Andrew Holness about the adhere to this program in a nation with Holness has in fact recognized that extent of the disenchantment, mistrust foreign debt equal to 113% of GDP, the election victory was by no means and apathy reigning in the nation. considered to be at risk of going into a ‘prize’ and that everything will be The 43 year-old politician assured crisis according to the credit rating done to maintain responsible and victory over the conservative JLP by agency Moody’s. transparent management to comply using a 10 point program with specific His policies and initiatives must also with each of his promises. Apimages PHOTO: initiatives to stimulate economic growth comply with FMI demands on Kingston Many raised voices, however, say that debt or lower State spending in other and to increase foreign investment over for drastic spending adjustments in the end result will be deeper national key areas. Little Progress in Haiti’s Political Crisis By RolandoDE LA RIBERA
SANTO DOMINGO._ Very little progress has being made Struggling People‘s Organization, and the Association in terms of the political crisis in Haiti, despite the changes of Nationalist and Progressive Democrats, as well as the that have taken place there since February 6 when parties of the eight presidential candidates (G-8) that interim President Jocelerme Privert replaced President ignore the results of the elections held on October 25, Michel Martelly in office. 2015, considering them fraudulent. Privert is committed to building a consensus According to analysts, Privert made the mistake of government, revitalizing the election court and handing agreeing with the representatives of the former ruling in power to a president elect. In order to attain these party on the need to hold a runoff as soon as possible to goals, he aims to be the guarantor of all the political be able to stay in power. spheres; yet, his neutral stance is seen as his greatest flaw. In meeting those demands, the interim president He has assumed the country’s fate amid a difficult called to create a new election court without investigating economic situation with strong currency depreciation the results of the first presidential election round to and more than five million citizens threatened by food Apimages PHOTO: determine who would have benefited from the fraud. insecurity. adopted by those parties when they refused to approve For the old opposition represented by the G-8 His strongest disagreement with the old Haitian the naming of economist Jean Fritz as prime minister and the Famni Lavalas party of former President Jean administration occurred when he detected serious and boycotted the investiture ceremony. Bertrand Aristide, it is regrettable that Privert and Fritz problems in the public finances and prohibited the then That stance was followed by actions aimed at fail to address the issue on election verification, which Prime Minister Evans Paul and his officials to continue reverting the situation, with the consequent use of their they consider essential to solve the political crisis. spending the government coffers. representatives in parliament to avoid ratifying the If the election results would have been verified, the Then he had another disagreement with the political declaration and delay the process. old opposition and the interim president would have members of the previous administration when the Ever since the new Prime Minister was officially named come closer together, consequently being given more former ruling Tet Kale Haitian Party (PHTK) and its allies on February 26, Privert has contacted different political support from those sectors since he assumed power. became the new opposition members by questioning parties to form a 120-day consensus government. However, Lavalas has requested that Privert’s term in Privert’s decisions. The factions that have refused to participate so office be respected and urges the interim president to The crucial point of that difference was the stance far are the Platform Pitit Dessalines leftist party, the act in line with the people’s demands. ECONOMY 13 Industrial Investments to Replace Imports By MiriamCÉSAR
national and foreign participants, said Adriana Barceló Permuy, the general manager of the Ministry of Industry’s department for industrial management (MINDUS). These projects are in line with Law No. 118 on Foreign Investment and the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM), which encourages participation of foreign capital as a complement to national efforts for attaining sustainable industrial development. In remarks to the press, Barceló Permuy explained that the three aforementioned factories are part of PHOTOs: Emilio Herrera PHOTOs: three projects estimated at $80 million each with Significant investments with foreign capital are likely investors from Panama, Italy and China, hence allowing Camagüey, Holguín and Santiago de Cuba provinces to be materialized in Cuba this year, with the objective them to have modern and productive technologies in with different modalities and technologies. of making the national industry more dynamic and that sector, to which Cuba annually assigns some $40 These investments will bring forward the replacing large volumes of imports. million. government’s efforts to gradually change the Among the projects that are either being studied The aluminum and glass container factories will country’s power network, with a program aimed at or that are waiting for approval are three factories: be located at the ZEDM, representing one of the most generating 24 percent of the country’s electricity one for producing aluminum containers, another for significant contributions to that site and the local using renewable energy sources. glass containers and a third for flexible containers industry, the MINDUS official said. Particularly important is the project for the for foodstuff, as well as a power generating plant It is a priority for the Cuban state to have a national modernization of the José Martí Iron and Steel Factory using urban solid waste, an initiative that will be container industry because it means import savings, of Havana, with a Russian credit worth $100 million implemented all over the country as well. she commented. that will enable sustainable iron and steel productions The upcoming edition of the International The director noted that the first joint plant for social programs and exports. Convention and Exhibition of the Cuban Industry producing biogas and hence power from urban solid Another major project is being developed at the set for June 20-24 will be a suitable occasion for waste is expected to be completed this year in Havana, Stainless Steel Factory in the province of Las Tunas, presenting the scope of these projects, both to an initiative that will be later on taken to Villa Clara, with an investment worth more than $11 million. Cuba and Australia for Expansion of Economic Links By JuliaCRUZATA PHOTOs: Manuel Muñoa PHOTOs:
Economic ties between Cuba and Cuban economic model and the new agriculture, and infrastructure related to development of research works and some Australia are likely to be expanded in the Cuban foreign investment law make the that sector. medicines that are produced no where sectors of renewable energy, agriculture, island a much more attractive market He also referred to business else in the world. livestock, pharmaceutics, mining and oil destination for foreign investors, he noted. opportunities in energy and mining These achievements are undisputable, prospecting, as analyzed by government Robb, who is also the Minister of Trade, with the supply of technologies and added the official while reiterating the authorities from the two countries. commented that the process toward the environmental practices of proven Australian interest in supporting medical A bilateral business forum held at normalization of relations between Cuba effectiveness. research on tropical diseases. The quality Havana’s Hotel Nacional provided room and the United States continues to attract The conditions are favorable for of some products for treating cancer and for the talks, which were headed by the world’s attention and is a factor to be creating joint ventures in agriculture, diabetes is praiseworthy, he added. Andrew Robb, special representative from taken into consideration. one of Australia’s leading fields given the Robb and his delegation were the Australian government, and Orlando He also praised Cuba’s ever increasing rapid implementation of technological welcomed by the Vice President of Cuba’s Hernández, president of Cuba’s Chamber international prestige in financial terms innovations in that sector, the Australian Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas, of Commerce. after having renegotiated the debts with representative noted. according to an official note. Despite the long geographic distance, its main creditors, including the Paris Club, As for tourism, Robb said his country The meeting also analyzed the steps the affection between the two peoples is of which Australia is a member country. is interested in helping to improve the required for the formalization of the mutual and Australia has always admired Robb sustained that his country is Cuban tourist infrastructure, as a significant agreements reached with the Paris Club the Cuban people for their ability to cope willing to become an attractive trading increase in tourist’s arrivals is expected to and ad hoc groups. on their own under any circumstances, partner for Cuba, because the possibilities occur in the coming years. Those negotiations should create the said Robb. exist for the two countries to develop Similarly, he praised Cuba’s conditions for strengthening trade and The process for the updating of the joint projects in tourism, livestock and achievements in health, which include the investments, the article concluded. 14 ECONOMY Bright Future for Cuba-Austria Business Links By MaríaJulia MAYORAL
The visit to Cuba of Austrian president, Heinz Fischer, mutually advantageous in proposals for exchanges who was accompanied by a large business delegation, that presently involve the purchase of assorted Cuban marked an important point in the development of products such as sugar, organic honey, tobacco and rum. commercial and financial relations and the future He explained that Austrian businesses in Cuba promotion of investments. are noteworthy for their presence in the supply of During a business forum, representatives of 26 large technology to the railway sector and to the brewing Austrian companies engaged in exchanges aimed at industry, as well as in synthetic materials used in mining, evaluating potential investment processes and areas of amongst other areas. mutual interest to facilitate a diversification of the goods In Matznetter’s view, the Caribbean nation is an and services imported and exported. attractive base from which to do business, given its In his opening remarks, the president called on strategic geographical location, the high educational companies from his country to do business with Cuba and level of the population and the present ongoing to take advantage of the presence of two experienced process towards the normalization of relations with the executive delegations, attractive opportunities and United States. areas of mutual need. The executive lamented that Cuba is forced to carry He described Austria as a politically stable and peace- the weight of having been blockaded for decades loving business partner with high levels of technological, and emphasized a willingness to facilitate ties for the industrial and infrastructural development, and a highly improvement of the people’s economic situation. skilled professional workforce. Members of the business community from the food The Cuban side present at the opening of the event and drinks, renewable energy, international wholesale, held in the capital’s Hotel Nacional included Rodrigo Francisco Ismael PHOTO: and the treatment of solid and liquid waste sectors also Malmierca, Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment He added that they also had reached an signed accords at the forum in Havana. (Mincex in Spanish) and Orlando Hernández, head of the understanding on fresh opportunities for Cuba to The president of the Chamber of Commerce in Chamber of Commerce. access Austrian finance for trade and the deployment of Cuba, Orlando Hernández, highlighted the coincidence The Minister gave thanks in particular to Austria’s investments. between the proposals of the European country and the continuous support for the lifting of the U.S. blockade on The Austrian Federal Economy Chamber and priorities established here in the portfolio of business Cuba which he said was “regrettably still being enforced”. the Cuban Chamber of Commerce also signed a opportunities with foreign companies. The head of Mincex said that on the basis of Cuba’s memorandum of understanding to ease the flow of In this regard, he valued the interest in obtaining recent re-negotiation of its foreign debt with the Paris merchandise and investments and to enhance their external technologies and financial resources in order Club’s Ad-Hoc Creditors Group, the two countries had overall economic relations. to improve transport, telecommunications, food reached an agreement to put their bilateral financial According to the European entity’s vice-president, production, the exploitation of renewable energy relations in order. Christoph Matznetter, the increased contacts could be sources and agriculture.
Russian Credit Supports Increased Electricity Production By CiraRODRÍGUEZ
He emphasized that this meant that the success of the project lay in its compliance with agreed schedules and established technological efficiency parameters to ensure that the fuel saved The ties that bind Cuba and Russia can be exported for sale and the proceeds together have been strengthened by the lodged in an account to cover the cost of granting of credit worth up to 1 billion, 2 the credit granted. hundred million euros, to finance a project The funding given envisages the to amplify electricity generation through formation and training of Cuban personnel the incorporation of 800 megawatts involved in the construction, mounting, into the electrical energy system in Cuba Apimages PHOTO: operation and maintenance of the plants. between 2022 and 2024. come into effect next April, is presently in electricity transfers are required from the In relation to block termination dates, At the end of October last year, a preparatory phase and is in line to be east of the island. the UNE executive stated that two should the two governments signed four concluded as planned and on schedule. The contract is for the extension of the be ready by 2023 and two by 2024, the last important documents setting out terms This will be followed by the selection of four aforementioned refineries which will of which should be the Máximo Gómez and conditions for the eight year long the entity that will design the plans and use crude Cuban fuel. thermal electric plant at Mariel. execution of the project. the subsequent commencement of basic The project will involve almost He stressed that this was a state In an exclusive interview with The engineering works. all ministries ranging from the basic investment rather than a foreign one that Havana Reporter, Edier Guzmán, Union Although it is stipulated that Cuban engineering stage and the financial was in a preliminary phase prior to the Electrica’s (UNE) Director for Thermal entities will do the actual construction economic and environmental agreements execution in which contracted foreign Power Plant Development, said that the because the state credit requires that to the construction and the initiation companies could participate. proposal would be made possible by most equipment be purchased from stages, which Guzman said is an experience According to the expert, the project an agreement between the Cuban and Russian firms, this phase will involve a 290- that should be exploited to strengthen does not contradict national programs Russian governments to construct four day bidding process that will lead to the those involved in its execution. for the use of renewable energy and for new generators to increase capacity, and selection of equipment and suppliers. He added that the fuel saved by these a gradual shift of the electricity supply meet the demands of both the state and The accord covers the construction of new generating plants would cover the matrix away from its dependence on fossil domestic sectors. four 200 megawatt generation units; one cost of the credit and interest, something fuels. In this regard, Guzman explained that in the Máximo Gómez refinery at Mariel supported by financial feasibility studies He clarified that the policy needed a contract signed by the Russian Inter and three in East Havana, all in the western undertaken by a prestigious international to be complimented because the use of RAO Export company and Cuba’s UNE part of the island where demand is company to the satisfaction of Cuban and fossil fuel generated electricity could not owned Energoimport company, which will highest and especially at peak times when Russian specialists and authorities. be fully eliminated. SPORTS 15 Cuba vs Tampa Bay Rays, with Obama as a Witness By YasielCANCIO
in which the two nations live, now with sport acting as one of the viaducts of rapprochement. This event (the match) is fruit of the serious process of dialogues, and shows interest in increasing mutually beneficial relations and in consolidating sport as a bridge of exchange between Cuba and the United States, said the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB in Spanish) in a statement. The executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, Tony Clark expressed his thanks to “all those involved in the organization of the game. We are very happy to return to Havana to continue our efforts which aim to strengthen relations between our countries through our love and passion for the game of baseball”. Clark, alongside a group of high directors of the Major Tampa Bay Rays, with all its stars and the Cuban national Leagues and various Cuban players who will perform in team will play a friendly match of baseball in the Latin this championship, traveled to the island last December to American park of Havana, a duel that will make history, which for a long time one could not freely travel to from promote a rapprochement between the FCB and the MLB, although undoubtedly, the figure in situ of the president the United States, said the Tampa starting pitcher, Chris a fact that has had a huge impact on fans. of the United States, Barack Obama, will rob the majority Archer, an ‘All Star’ pitcher, fifth in line last season for the Very little came of these meetings although hope of the flashes. American League Cy Young award. grew of seeing the Cuban baseball players playing legally The meet will be a big event. On March 22, in the old This will be the second visit to the island of a team in the United States where undoubtedly the best baseball Gran Estadio del Cerro (The Grand Cerro Stadium), politics from the Major Leagues since 1959 after the visit made by in the world is played. and sport will coincide; the north and the south, but the Baltimore Orioles in 1999; and it will be the first visit of Until now, the Cuban players have had to resort to above all the privileged ones who get hold of a ticket for a North American President in almost 90 years. illegal actions in order to be able to arrive at the Majors the match will be going on a date with history. Beyond the sports side of things, the visit of the Rays and according to U.S. laws they even have to obligatorily We’re part of something which is historical for both to Havana has provoked various reactions in Cuba and the renounce their Cuban citizenship to be contracted by any countries, we are excited to enjoy Cuba’s culture; a country United States, the majority in support of the new context franchise of the Major Leagues. A Dolphin that Holds a Guinness World Record By CarlosBANDINES The art of controlling a soccer ball and other experts attending the Hemingway International Nautical with any part of the body entails event announced the official number Club, where he swam 200 meters technical skill and juggling, training of hits after checking the videos with a soccer ball on his forehead and tenacity, confidence and from the two cameras installed for for seven minutes 24 seconds and 60 courage. This is a typical skill that that purpose: one at water level and hundredths. many gifted soccer players have, but the other underwater. For this year 2016, Lefont if the show takes place in a swimming In 2012, also at the Cohíba Hotel, aspires to set records in new world pool where the person is floating the 27-year-old Cuban had recorded modalities: number of ball hits in and hitting the ball with their head, 1,203 hits, which earned him a 30 seconds when in motion and he then we may call it a miracle. Guinness World Record nomination also hopes to beat his record of 99 This is precisely the case for Cuban that placed him among the best hits while carrying more than 15 Jhoen Lefont, a former polo player Cuban athletes of special sports. kilograms of weight. nicknamed ‘The Dolphin’ who broke Two years earlier, in February The Guinness Book of World his own Guinness World Record of 2010, he had made his first ball Records is a reference book consecutive ball touches with head control performance at the Habana published annually which lists world while treading water on February 27 Libre Hotel by making 534 hits. In records. with 1,513 consecutive hits. November of that same year, he Lefont began practicing ball The event took place at the surpassed the one thousand hits for control at the age of 12, and swimming pool at Havana’s Meliá the first time by setting 1,010 at the channeled his vocation after his Cohíba Hotel, where the young Meliá Cayo Coco Hotel in the group polo coach Jorge del Valle put him athlete broke the 1,503 hits record of small keys north of the central in contact with Douglas Hernández, he had set on August 10, 2013. province of Ciego de Ávila. a pioneer of ball control in Cuba, The judges accredited by the His other great accomplishment together with his brother Erik International Swimming Federation took place in April 2013 at Havana’s Hernández. 16 Pitfalls, Prospects and Progress in Cuba-US Relations By RobertoGARCÍA
Given that no other president has done so since Calvin financial transactions with Cuba goes against Obama’s Coolidge back in 1928, the visit to Cuba by U.S. president determination to do a political u-turn on the Cuba policy Barack Obama is, in addition to marking an important and to have Congress lift the unilateral sanctions that milestone in history, a sign of progress in the ties are the principal obstruction to normal relations. between the two countries. A recent example of such a contradiction is the fine This and other events demonstrate that over the past of 304,706 dollars imposed by the North American few months positive steps have been taken towards Government on the oil field services provider: the U.S. the normalization of relations between Havana and Haliburton company, for transactions involving the Washington, even though there are still significant Cuban oil company, Cuba Petróleo (Cupet). pitfalls on the road to achieving this objective. Since the announcement on December 17, 2014 of Notable amongst the positive developments over the policy change on Cuba, Washington has imposed recent weeks are the announcement of the reaching of similar fines totaling almost 3 billion dollars on five U.S. an agreement to reestablish direct commercial flights and three non U.S. companies. between the countries, and the decision to cooperate in Meanwhile, a plan recently presented by Obama for the area of cyber-security. the closure of the prison that the U.S. operates within Having taken these and other similar steps, both the Guantamo Naval Base, has put another outstanding sides recognize that the talks are being conducted in a issue between the two parties back on the table; Cuba’s professional and respectful environment. claim for the return of the territory illegally occupied Given this context, the measures by the Departments by the Base, against the will of the island’s people and of Treasury and Trade that came into effect on January 27, government. were interpreted as positive by experts, even though they to airspace and seas under Cuban jurisdiction, without In the interests of attaining normalization, Cuba is, once again fell far short of what had been hoped for. special authorization by the Coastguard Service who in addition to calling for the lifting of the blockade and Another recent aspect of this bilateral dynamic was can inspect and even impound vessels suspected of the return of land, also calling for the cessation of illegal the announcement on February 24 of Obama’s decision breaching the blockade. transmissions and the abandonment of – ongoing but to extend the State of Emergency declared by President Nevertheless, this time around, the tone of the using new methods - subversive programs that attempt William Clinton relating to Cuba in 1996, following the language was somewhat softer than that which was to interrupt Cuba’s social and political order. island’s shooting down of two light aircraft that had previously used to justify the measure and it recognized Either way, Obama’s stay in Cuba will be an systematically violated its airspace. at the same time the positive new atmosphere that opportunity for first hand experience of the Cuban In what has since become an annual ritual, now prevails between the two nations, in spite of the reality and to become convinced that he should use the Proclamation 9398 allows Clinton’s measures to continue differences that still exist between them. broad executive powers at his disposal to limit the scope prohibiting the entry of U.S. registered ships and aircraft On the other hand, the global persecution of of unilateral sanctions imposed on the island.