THE © YEAR V Nº 7 APR 10, 2015 , avana eporter ISSN 2224-5707 YOUR SOURCE OF NEWS & MORE H R Price: A Weekly Newspaper of the Prensa Latina News Agency 1.00 CUC, 1.00 USD, 1.20 CAN

Tourism Morro-Cabaña: A Place Worth Visiting/ P.2 Health & Science Cuba Updates Environmental Strategies / P.5

Entertainment & Listings/P.8-9 A Dialogue Photo Feature African Dreams in the is Possible Cuban Grassland/ P.11

/ P.6 International Panama Summit: The Possible Scenarios /P.12

UN Target: Gender Equality by 2030/P.13 Economy Cuba-Kuwait: Cooperation City in Keeps Pumping Water/P.14 Motion Sports P.7 Cuba Goes Football Crazy /P.15 Beatlemania in uba as Cuba C , Mariel Zone Lures Over 300 Lively as Foreign Companies Ever/P.10 /P.16

This newspaper is distributed on board Cubana de Aviacion´s flights 2 TOURISM

Morro-Cabaña: A Place Worth Visiting Text and Photos By RobertoCAMPOS

Meanwhile, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Royal Force Castle) began to be built in 1558 and was finished in 1578. The construction of La Punta and El allowed for crossfire against the attackers. The construction of La Punta Castle, which lasted 10 years, was finished in 1600, 30 years earlier than “El Morro,” as The Morro Castle, which has the shape HAVANA._ Close to celebrating 500 A good example is the Morro Castle. it is popularly known. of an irregular polygon, rises 40 meters years of its founding, on November 16, Located at the entrance of the Bay of As ordered by King Carlos III, the above sea level. 1519, the Cuban capital offers thousands Havana, this fortress welcomes all visitors construction of the San Carlos de La One of the most significant events of tourists from around the world the who enter the city by sea. Both, the Morro Cabaña Castle was started in 1763. It in its history was the1762 attack by the possibility to enjoy its many majestic Castle and the San Carlos de la Cabaña covers an area of 700 meters with 450 English squadron that conquered the colonial fortresses. Fortress, feature on tourist postcards, meters of thick walls. Morro and besieged Havana for eleven Built to protect the city from the representing not only Havana but all of The Morro Castle is a tourist attraction months until July 6, 1763. attacks of corsairs and pirates, these Cuba as well. that includes snack bars and restaurants Visitors can easily spot its ten-meter fortresses are very well preserved and The Morro Castle perches on top like La Divina Pastora and Los 12 tower and the lighthouse that served as abound with history. For this reason of a cliff at the entrance of the bay. Its Apóstoles (The 12 Apostles); names given watchtower. The latter was initially fuelled they feature as one of Havana’s main construction began in 1589 and was in honor of its most emblematic artillery by wood, then by oil in 1819, by acetylene attractions. completed in 1630. pieces. in 1928, and finally by electricity in 1945.

CUBA-TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Iberia Considers Havana the Tourism Cooperation on the Rise Star of its Long Distance Flights PHOTO: Emilio Herrera PHOTO:

HAVANA._ Cuba and of investments, exchange professional training Apimages PHOTO: Trinidad and Tobago of scientific and technical system for this industry. MADRID._ Spain’s Iberia airline has has increased the number of flights from signed a cooperation knowledge, environmental The delegation from ratified the reopening of its Madrid- five weekly to one daily. agreement intended impact assessments, Trinidad and Tobago also Havana route for June 1, distinguishing In Europe, Iberia and Iberia Express to promote the flow of and the study and met with Foreign Trade it as the star of its long distance flights. will open flights to five destinations in tourists and boost the development of new and Investment Minister, The company announced that 39 Italy: Florence and Naples (permanently), Caribbean region as a tourism products. Rodrigo Malmierca, and new routes will open this summer, and Palermo, Catania and Verona (in the destination. Hadeed and his the Vice President of incorporating 19 additional destinations summer seasons only). On the occasion of a delegation visited heritage the Council of Ministers while the frequency of flights in the Moreover, the number of flights to visit to Cuba in late March, sites and other places of Ricardo Cabrisas. current 22 routes will increase. Venice will increase during the summer. the Minister of Tourism interest. They also met This inter- Iberia’s long operational range In Germany, the airline will launch Gerard Hadeed signed the with national directors of governmental agreement includes three new destinations: direct flights to Hamburg and increase agrement with his Cuban the Professional Training aims to boost cooperation Havana, after more than two years of those to Berlin, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf. counterpart Manuel for Tourism System in the sector based on the discontinuation, Cali, and Medellín, Flights operated by Iberia Express Marrero. (FORMATUR) as well good relations between beginning on July 3. will open from Madrid to the Charles The agreement also as Havana’s Hotel and the two countries, Montevideo and Santo Domingo also de Gaulle Airport in Paris, and from addresses topics such as Tourism School, where according to an official feature among the new destinations. In Santander to the same destination, training and promotion they learned about the release. the case of Santo Domingo, the company operated by Iberia Regional Air Nostrum. CUBA 3

CUBA-EUROPEAN UNION Talks Yield Progress By NuriemDEARMAS

HAVANA._ At a recent third round of talks political dialogue, economic relations and with the European Union. as very positive, adding that the mission between Cuba and the European Union trade, all of which will be addressed in the While a bilateral agreement is being of strengthening ties with Cuba had been (EU), aimed at establishing a Political upcoming rounds. negotiated, the EU will maintain its accomplished. Dialogue and Bilateral Cooperation This new stage will include the “common position” policy on Cuba which In a press briefing, Mogherini said Accord, progress was made on several following issues in its agenda: national and can only be revoked by a unanimous that very good grounds for further levels in culture, education, health and international policy, governance, human agreement of all 28 member-states. cooperation had been identified at agriculture. rights, the rule of law, peace, security, the Back in October 2008, both sides meetings with Cuban authorities, noting The talks, as was also the case in fight against terrorism, and joint efforts to decided to restart unconditional and that there had been points on which both the previous ones, were undertaken confront global challenges. non-discriminatory political dialogue and parties had agreed. constructively, positively and with absolute According to Leffler, such a presentation cooperation on a reciprocal basis, while During her official visit she was honesty that “has facilitated the advances will permit exchanges of ideas between fully respecting sovereignty of nation- received by Cuban president Raúl Castro already made,” deputy Cuban Foreign both parties during the coming months, states. and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Minister Abelardo Moreno, has said. meaning that many issues will have been In April 2014 Havana hosted the first with whom she exchanged ideas on This latest round, held in Havana last addressed before the next round of talks meeting while the second was held in climate change, the post-2015 agenda for month, specifically focused on issues starts. Brussels, Belgium, four months later. global development, and cooperation in relating to cooperation and dialogue Previous rounds had proceeded along The first round was to map out the renewable energy production. about sectoral policies. similar lines; a system deemed to be very talks process and devise a broad outline The senior official said that “there is a Cuban Foreign Ministry officials said effective because it identifies interpretation for the future accord. high level of reciprocated trust between that the agreement with the EU was problems and acknowledges sensitive The second round focused on Cuba and the EU.” being considered in great detail as it subjects in topics of mutual interest. issues relating to political dialogue and She commented that Cuba and the would establish the framework for future Leffler pointed out that there was cooperation based on mutual respect EU were currently negotiating a Political negotiations. no fixed timeline or deadline by which for differences in order to reach a better Dialogue and Cooperation Accord, The delegation representing the agreements must be reached as long as a understanding and pave the way to of which the third round of talks had European block was led by Christian Leffler, legal basis, which backs up this agreement convergence. concluded. She added that both sides executive director for the Americas of the for at least fifteen years, is in place. are interested in concluding this process European Foreign Action Service, who felt Because of the so called “common EU REPRESENTATIVES IN CUBA TO as soon as possible in order to be able to that substantial progress had been made position,” a restrictive policy on interaction FORGE CLOSER TIES begin cooperation within this framework. during this most recent round of talks. with Cuba adopted by the EU in 1996, the The EU high representative for Foreign Mogherini stressed that, “the signing At the talks, the European side Caribbean island is one of the few nations Affairs and Security Policy, Federica of this accord is key to working together expressed its views on issues dealing with that do not have an agreement of this kind Mogherini, considered last March’s visit on a more solid basis.” 4 SOCIETY

process is of utmost importance and Validation of Syphilis-HIV Elimination has been a mission marked by great participation on all levels of the health system .“ Phase Concludes in Cuba Ghidinelli said that “by being such an integrated process, it becomes a virtual By VivianCOLLAZO examination or evaluation of a whole health

PHOTO: FotosPL PHOTO: care system seeking a specific result. There HAVANA._ A Pan-American Health that the information presented by Cuban the rest of the world is merely focusing on was a great degree of transparency and Organization (PAHO) expert has said that authorities was confirmed and validated, general HIV transmission - “To be part of interaction that facilitated the work of the the Cuban Public health system, universally and that the levels of healthcare and the double-elimination process is a plus for committee which was even able to review accessible, is one of the assets that the laboratories, among other areas, were Cuba and the entire region.“ the clinical records of individual cases.“ nation is exploiting in order to eliminate evaluated. Some observations were later Benzaken said that in order to pass this “The goals have been reached, but the mother-to-baby transmission of syphilis made and were discussed with the local process, countries must comply, as Cuba process has not been concluded. A very, and HIV/AIDS. team, she added. has, with standards established by the very important phase has been completed Adele Benzaken, co-president of the Benzaken acknowledged that Cuba is PAHO. and it has been very successful,“ he added. Regional Committee of experts that the first country in the world to go through Meanwhile, Massimo Ghidinelli, chief of In the next few weeks, we expect to visited Cuba to verify compliance with this validation process and that it has been PAHO‘s sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/ work on other necessary phases, including the necessary standards for the vertical an important experience, which “we have AIDS, and Hepatitis division, said that this the regional committee‘s report which elimination of both diseases, told the enjoyed, and from which we have learned is a first step on the long road to validation. will be submitted to the World Health Prensa Latina News Agency that four work a lot.“ It is very important that the country has Organization (WHO), he said. areas had been studied in order to learn The expert highlighted that the completed this stage although certain The validation process is global and about how the program is organized in this region of the Americas is working hard elements are still to be completed before involves global public health - it is WHO‘s nation. towards the elimination of mother-to-child the final stage. responsability to conclude what to date has Benzaken told a press conference transmissions of HIV and syphilis while “Cuba‘s decision to engage in the been an intense and costly process.

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: Mario Sombert. Publisher: Agencia Informativa Latinoamericana, Information Vice President: Víctor M. Carriba. Laura Reyes. Prensa Latina, S.A. Editorial Vice President: Maitté Marrero Canda. Chief Graphic Editor: Alejandro Gómez. Calle E, esq. 19 No. 454, , La Habana-4, Cuba. Chief Editor: Luis Melián. Advertising: Pedro Ríoseco Telephone: (53)7838-3496 / 7832-3578 Fax: (53)7833-3068 Translation: Prensa Latina English Department. Circulation: Commercial Department. E-mail: [email protected] Printing: Imprenta Federico Engels. HEALTH & SCIENCE 5 Cuba Updates Environmental Strategies By VivianCOLLAZO

HAVANA._ Cuba´s Biological Diversity minimizing soil degradation, impacts on issues of priority that require further Program and action plan, in the process forestry coverage, ecosystem losses or research and that should be specifically of being updated for the 2015-2020 contamination, and at maintaining and mentioned in the updated plan as well period, aims to halt national biodiversity protecting endemic species diversity, as in national development policies and Najarro David Lázaro PHOTOs: losses through sustainable use and the among others. strategies. Her work also includes studies province of Pinar del Rio, Cuchillos del implementation of conservation measures. Coya added that the document analyzes on the economic valuation of ecosystems. Toa, in the provinces of Guantánamo and Experts are confident that a document the political instrument and environmental Goicochea commented that biodiversity Holguin, and Baconao, in the provinces of outlining the way forward could be drafted management, while prioritizing an forms part of the national wealth while also and Guantánamo. by identifying and establishing courses of enhancement of implementation methods. being a natural heritage that guarantees Also on the list are Buena Vista, spanning action consistent with the national political, It also incorporates indicators to monitor food sovereignty and security. the provinces of Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus social, and economic guidelines, as well as progress. and Ciego de Avila, and the swamplands with the Economy Plan and development The draft program also proposes the PROTECTED AREAS IN CUBA of the Ciénaga de Zapata in the province of strategies for the implementation of integration of a range of projects and action Statistics indicate that protected areas Matanzas. international environmental commitments. plans that presently address environmental account for about 20 percent of Cuban NCPA director Maritza García said At a program presentation, in which issues and advocate for the inclusion of national territory, including Biosphere that the experts are working on a project researchers, various departmental officials, diverse working groups and commissions Reserves, and National Parks which possess that, once approved, will make Sierra de the university, and scientific community in order to set up a common platform. very high indicators of national biodiversity los Organos, also in the Guaniguanico representatives participated, Lourdes Environmental Director for the value and encompass very large sways of mountain range, Cuba’s seventh Biosphere Coya, of the Environmental Management Ministry of Science, Technology and the surface area. Reserve. Department, explained that, for this end, Environment, Dr. Odalys Goicochea, recalled According to the National Center for She commented that the site possessed the parties have identified 18 goals which that the Biological Diversity Strategy and Protected Areas (NCPA), Sierra del Rosario, all necessary requirements for approval have the potential of being accomplished Action Plan provided a framework for the a mountainous land mass in western due to its biological diversity, its sustainable within the five year period. integration of conservation actions and Cuba, became the country’s first Biosphere ecological practices for the protection of This way, Cuba can establish sustainable use of biodiversity on the island. Reserve in 1985. It was followed by the natural resources, and a community that commitments aimed at eliminating or She said that her work had identified Guanahacabibes Peninsula, also in the promotes sustainable growth. Climate Change Cuban Expert: Political Will is Vital By MasielFERNANDEZ José Tito José Tito Meriño PHOTO: example, a minimum temperature of 1 greatly increased temperatures, very strong 20 meteorologists from around the world degree Celsius was recorded last February hurricanes, spells of severe drought, and in order to raise awareness about the in Union de Reyes, in the province of intense rainfall. challenges related to climate change that Matanzas. Nevertheless, just under 2 He said that this WMO initiative selected the world will face in the coming decades. months later, a high record of 35.3 degrees Celsius was recorded in the not far away PARIS. _ Climate change is a reality that is province of Havana. The previous high was still reversible and for which, according 33.8 in 1928. to the Cuban meteorologist José Rubiera, Doctor Rubiera, who is also the vice governmental and political will is essential. president of a World Meteorological Rubiera, director of the Cuban Weather Organization (WMO) group of experts, Forecast Center of the Meteorology stressed the importance of implementing Institute, said that, if necessary measures measures in agriculture and coastal zones are not implemented, the moment will to cope with hurricanes and extreme come when temperatures will rise beyond temperatures. a point of no return due to high levels of He said that Cuba is working hard in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. this regard as a clearly defined political will During an event in Paris about climate exists, increasingly evident in measures and meteorology in Cuba, he told the implemented in defence of the climate Prensa Latina news agency that the and in hurricane protection systems at the developed nations are the most responsible economical and population level. for atmospheric contamination as they Rubiera added that, in terms of were able to progress precisely by means of sustainable development, it is about technology harmful to climatic conditions. attempting to achieve development It is neither possible nor fair to halt while taking into account the degrees of developing nations from achieving higher adaptability and versatility of every activity levels of advancement. This means that in the context of the changing climate. important negotiations must be held in All that has an impact on implemented order for the greatest polluters to committ measures, future planning perspectives, themselves to reducing their greenhouse and the economy in general, he stressed. emissions the most. The aforementioned event, he The expert commented that one of explained, mainly brought together TV the most convincing evidence for climate weather presenters. Videos forecasting how change is the extreme temperature weather conditions would be in 2050 were disparities experienced in different regions presented as a means to alert and warn of the planet. Last year was the hottest since people about the potential consequences the start of temperature measurements. of climate change. The hottest years have all been recorded in Rubiera represented Cuba with a the 21st century, he recalled. forecast based on the impact that climate In a Caribbean country like Cuba, for change could have in the Caribbean: 6 POLITICS

Cuba-US: A Dialogue is Possible By WaldoMENDILUZA

WASHINGTON._ The first talks between meeting had highlighted differences in Cuba and the United States on Human Pedro Luis Pedroso Philip Peters the promotion and protection of human Rights related issues allowed both rights in the respective nations as well sides to make their stance and to lay as in their international treatment at the foundations for possible future multilateral forums about the topic. meetings on the subject. Above all, ”We view civil, political, economic, however, they demonstrated that, social, and cultural rights as inseparable, in spite of profound differences, a integral, and interconnected and respectful dialogue is indeed possible. consider all of them to be of equal Both sides have held multiple value,” she commented. meetings since last December 17’s Meanwhile, Pedroso insisted that announcement by Raúl Castro and the realization of economic, social, and Barack Obama of a rapprochement cultural rights formed a fundamental between the two nations. It is this foundation for the effective exercise of meeting on human rights, however, Courtesy Francisco of Ismael PHOTOS: civil and political rights. that perhaps best illustrates that Foreign Affairs, however, both parties to boost ties spanning trade, tourism, “We cannot assume that an illiterate divergences or differences need not demonstrated that civilized relations travel, and other sectors. can exercise freedom of speech,” he obstruct cooperation and talks on that recognize and respect difference Peters believes that, within a explained. matters of mutual interest. of opinion were feasible. context of official collaboration, fruitful Meanwhile, the Department of State On March 31, delegations from In response to questions about diplomatic relations, and growing issued a brief statement describing the Havana and Washington dealt with the possibilities for an ongoing economic links, an atmosphere more meeting as professional. this complex topic -- a weapon used by respectful dialogue between Cuba conducive to lifting the embargo The host delegation, led by Assistant successive U.S. administrations against and the U.S. posed by The Havana (blockade) will be sparked in Congress Secretary for Democracy, Human Cuba. Reporter, U.S. researcher and analyst and will make it more difficult for future Rights, and Labor, Tom Malinowski, The US has exploited the human Philip Peters stressed that, them being U.S. presidents to revoke the executive highlighted the methodology, themes, rights issue to justify its more than neighbors, positive ties between both changes introduced by Obama and structure of new talks “for which a fifty-year-old economic, commercial, governments are of utmost importance. regarding the island. time and date will be decided through and financial blockade, as well as other He said that, in spite of differing diplomatic channels.” hostile measures, against the Caribbean political systems and views on human DISCREPANCIES Without going into details, the island. rights, the U.S. has maintained good The human rights talks, which were U.S. side also mentioned that both Head of the Cuban delegation relations with nations such as Saudi marked by discussions on topics governments’ concerns about human Pedro Luis Pedroso said, at a press Arabia, China, Russia, Vietnam, and of mutual interest, were held in rights related issues were raised. briefing that the talks “served to Mexico. However, it has made of Cuba Washington in parallel to the process In this regard, Pedroso told the press confirm that very profound differences an exception. of the reestablishment of diplomatic that Cuba expressed its opposition to on the understanding and exercise In the opinion of the economic relations and the opening of embassies racism and discrimination in U.S. society, of human rights exist between both expert and author of Havana- in the respective countries. increased police brutality, torture, and governments.¨ Washington publications, both sides The Cuban Ambassador to the extra-judicial executions during the According to the sub-director should make the most of the situation United Nations in Geneva and a so called “war on terror,” as well as the general of International Law and and atmosphere generated by Raúl participant in the recent talks, Anayansi legal limbo within which Guantanamo Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry for Castro’s and Barack Obama’s decisions Rodríguez, told reporters that the prisoners remain.

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS

. 36th International Tourism Fair, Jardines del Rey archipelago, central province of Ciego de Ávila. May 5-7 . “Arte en ” Handicraft Fair, Pabellón Cuba exibition site, Havana. June-August. . 32nd International Fair of Havana, Expocuba exhibition center. November 2-8. . 19th International Craft Fair, Pabexpo exhibition center, Havana, December. CULTURE 7 SPOTLIGHT ON

April: Springtime for Cuba’s Dance Scene By MarthaSANCHEZ

HAVANA._ Cuba’s dance scene is, once again, flourishing this spring. This revival season of artistic manifestation on the island emerged two decades ago with the first International Meeting of Ballet Academies. Every year, since 1994, the event has been inviting hundreds of students and professors from around the world to attend PHOTOs: Ferval PHOTOs: workshops, performances, and contests in Havana. One year later, artists and the people in general began Likewise, it allows for the exchange of ideas and to jointly enjoy and experience art on the streets and other experiences through lectures, conferences, workshops, public areas, as part of the International Dance Festival in and shows. Urban Landscapes “: City in Motion,” whose Additionally, two other major events will be held: 20th edition will take place from April 15 to 19. the 10th International Video-Dance Festival “DV Danza The festival’s logo announces its venues: streets, Habana Movimiento y Ciudad” (DV Dance Havana: Motion plazas, parks, and museums in Havana’s historic district. and City), beginning on April 13, and the 4th Tránsitos These street dance performances both interrupt Habana Festival which facilitates cultural exchange with traffic and invite passers-by to get involved in them. This Scandinavian artists, from April 15 to 26. year will be no different and the festival will witness even After the opening of two international events as more improvised dancers and parties at the plazas. peculiar as the International Meeting of Academies and Street performers and living statues will also take part the Dance Festival in Urban Spaces, the Cuban Ministry in the festival organized by the Retazos Dance-Theater of Culture created the National Dance Award, which in Company and the office of Havana’s historian, with the the first three editions recognized the work of pioneers support of the Havana Theater Center. such as Alicia Alonso (1998), Ramiro Guerra (1999), and The event combines a large variety of artistic Fernando Alonso (2000). manifestations, including exhibits, concerts, video art, The award is granted annually at a gala held on April and other performances. 29; declared International Dance Day by UNESCO. More Traditional Cuban Music to Enjoy By CharlyMORALES “”. HAVANA._ Nobody was more surprised about the Buena Vista Social Club boom than Cuban musicians themselves. All of a sudden, the same old son and music began to fill the theaters of the most cosmopolitan cities. While it went as far as to be considered a phenomenon, to Cubans it was simply the very essence of their country: its traditional music. Fashion comes and goes but the authentic lasts forever; and the same goes for Cuba’s traditional music. This is exemplified by the launch of the the Septeto Santiaguero’s (septet) new album, a tribute to the duo “Los Compadres, Joaquín Hernández Mena /Trabajadores Joaquín Hernández Mena /Trabajadores PHOTO: initially made up of Lorenzo Hierrezuelo and Meriño JoséTito PHOTO: Francisco Repilado, internationally known as compete in the capital, with an audience that is “Compay Segundo”. Reynaldo, a brother of both demanding and cultured. Lorenzo´s, joined in later. This double record comprises different “No quiero llanto. Tributo a Los Compadres” genres such as , conga, son, and guaracha, (Don’t Cry for Me. Tribute to Los Compadres) and includes songs from Cuban popular music’s is the title of the new album recorded in golden age. collaboration with José Alberto (“El Canario”), Without the intensity of contemporary and several talented guests such as Oscar D rhythms that almost require the dancer to be León, Ismael Miranda, Andy Montañez, Eliades an acrobat in order to keep pace with the fast Ochoa, Eduardo “Tiburón” Morales, The Oriente beat, the Septeto Santiaguero’s music is danced Symphony Orchestra, Los Hoyos Conga from Santiago record label, featuring concerts in Havana and Santiago the old-fashioned way - the couple dances slowly and de Cuba, and Puerto Rico’s Esencia band. de Cuba, where son music was born. closely together. Regardless of the individual dance Recorded last year, the album has already been Fernando Deward, the septet’s director, knows that styles, however, the music’s golden rule always has to be launched in Colombia, Spain, France, Italy, and will be promoting and defending his music is a huge challenge complied with: it is a music to be enjoyed because, in the introduced to the Cuban market through the EGREM in Havana, due to the many rhythms that converge and end, son is the best music to make the soul happy. 8 ENTERTAINMENT

THEATER THEATER *Note: theater companies are in parentheses

Sala Teatro Hubert the Blank (THR is not responsible for any changes made by sponsoring organizations)

GETTINGTeatro Mella Antiguo Casino Español AROUND By MaylínZALDIVAR [email protected] Calle Línea e/ A y B. Vedado. Tel: (Former Spanish Casino) 7833-8696. Thu. Apr. 16 (8:30 Paseo del Prado esq. Ánimas. pm): Buena Fé duo and Spanish . Sala Ignacio RECOMMENDS singer Andrés Suárez in concert. Cervantes. Fri. Apr. 10 (6 pm): • Street Dance Festival: Concert by cellist Alejandro Basílica Menor San Rodríguez. Guests: maestro “Ciudad en Movimiento” Francisco de Asís Evelio Tieles and Nuestro (City in Motion) at Plaza de Armas. Tiempo instrumental band. Sun. 12 (6 pm): Concert “Entre Arias” organized together with Teatro Lírico Nacional (National Calzada entre A y B. Vedado. Tel: Sala Llauradó Sala Argos Teatro Lyric Theater) and with the 830-1011. Fri. Apr. 10, 17, 24, Sat. participation of pianist Vilma 11, 18, 25 (8:30 pm) and Sun. Garriga. Sun. 19 (6 pm): Amadeo 12, 19, 26 (5 pm): “Las Heridas Roldán guitar quartet performs. del Viento” (The Wounds of the Direction: violinist Leonardo Wind). Pérez. Fri. 24 (6 pm): Soprano Ivette Betancourt (soprano) and Centro Cultural Bertolt pianist Maite Aboy as part of Brecht the Chamber Music Festival.

Iglesia de Paula

Calle 11 entre D y E. Vedado. Tel: 7832-5373. Fri. Apr. 10, 17, 24, Sat. 11, 18, 25 (8:30 pm) and Sun. 12, 19, 26 (5 pm): “Tierra” (Earth) by (Punto Azul). Tue. 14, 21, 27, Oficios e/ Amargura y Churruca, Wed. 15, 22, 28 and Thu. 16, 23 (6 Habana Vieja. Tel: 7862-9683. Calle 13 esquina a I. Vedado. pm): “Huevo” (Egg) by (Mefisto Thu. Apr. 30 (6 pm): Concert Tel: 832-9359. Sala Café Teatro. Teatro). marking the 20 years as a singer Fri. Apr. 10, 17, 24, Sat. 11, 18, Ayestarán y 20 de mayo. Plaza of soprano Milagros de los 25 (8:30 pm) and Sun. 12, 19, Teatro Trianón de la Revolución. Tel: 7878-5551. Ángeles. Guests: Laura Ulloa, 26 (5 pm): “La toma de La Fri. Apr. 17, 24, Sat. 11, 18, 25 Irenia Corzo, Olivia Méndez, Habana por los ingleses” (The (8:30 pm) and Sun. 12, 19, 26 (5 countertenor Lesby Bautista, Avenida del Puerto. Esq. San British Takeover of Havana) pm): “Locos de Amor” (Madly in pianists Yaliev Álvarez and Ignacio. Habana Vieja. Tel: 7860- by (Pequeño Teatro de La Love) by (Argos Teatro). Beatriz Batista. Artistic direction: 4210. Tue. Apr. 21, Wed. 22, Thu. Habana). Tue. 14, 21, 28, Wed. Daniel Noriega. 23 and Fri. 24: Concerts as part 15, 22, 29 and Thu. 16, 23, 30 (7 Teatro de La Villa. of the Chamber Music Festival. pm): “Retrato de un hombre Desamparado e/ Dr Mora y Oratorio San Felipe Neri desnudo” (Portrait of a Naked Jesús María. . Casa de Artes y Man) by (Teatro El Caballero). Tel:7797-7984. Wed. Apr. 25, Tradiciones Chinas Thu. 26 (3 pm) and Sat. 18, 25 (8 Calle Salud e/ Gervasio y Raquel Revuelta pm): “Caliente, caliente, que te Escobar. Centro Habana. Tel: quemas” (You are Hot, Getting 7860-9976. Thu. Apr. 23 (6 pm): Hotter, You are Boiling!) by Show dedicated to Cuban tenor (Teatro de La Villa). Jesús Li Cecilio with Amigos para Siempre band as guest. MUSIC MUSIC Centro Hispano- Americano de Cultura El Ciervo Encantado (Spanish-American Cultural Línea entre Paseo y A. Vedado. Calle 18 e/ Línea y 11 Vedado. Center) Tel: 7830-9648. Fri. Apr. 10, 17, Tel: 7833-6982. Sat. Apr. 25 Malecón e/ Capdevila y Paseo Línea esquina a B. Vedado. Tel: Sat. 11, 18 (8:30 pm) and Sun. 12, (8:30 pm): Concert marking del Prado. Centro Habana. Tel: 833-0225. Sala Raquel Revuelta. 19 (5 pm): “Decamerón” (The International Jazz Day. 7860-6282.Sat. Apr. 11 (5 pm): Fri. 10, Sat. 11 and Sun. 12 (6 :30 Decameron Tales) by (Teatro El Venezuelan band Surconciente pm): “Manteca” (Fat) by (Icarón). Público). Teatro Nacional de Cuba Calle Aguiar esq. Obrapía. performs. Guests: Cuban singers Fri. 10, Sat. 11 and Sun. 12 (6:30 Loma y 39. Plaza de la Habana Vieja. Tel: 7862-3243. Rochy and Gerardo Alfonso. pm): “Aire” (Air). Artistic director: Sala El Sótano Revolución. Tel: 7878-5590. Fri. Apr.10 and Sat. 11 (6 pm): Sat. 18 (5 pm): Schola Cantorum Miriam Muñoz. Sala Osvaldo Calle K e/ 25 y 27. Vedado. Tel: Sala Covarrubias. Sun. Apr. 26 Clarinet Festival organized Coralina choir in concert, Dragún. Fri. 10, 17, Sat. 11, 18 7832-0630. Fri. 10, 17, 24, Sat. (11 am): National Symphony by D’Accord duo. Sat. 18 y 25 directed by Alina Orraca. Thu. 23 and Sun. 12, 19, 25 (8:30 pm): 11, 18, 25 (8:30 pm) and Sun. Orchestra in concert. Sun. 19 (11 (4 pm) and Thu. 23 (7 pm): (5 pm): Performances by choral “Zapato Sucio” (Dirty Shoe) by 12, 19, 26 (5 pm): “Es-3s” by (Rita am): Concert by Guido López Concerts as part of Havana’s ensembles from Cuba and (Teatro D´ Dos). Montaner) Gavilán orchestra. Chamber Music Festival. Canada. ENTERTAINMENT 9

GETTING AROUNDCasa de África Factoría Habana. ART GALLERIES DANCE (House of Africa) DANCE International MUSEUMS& MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES Obra Pía e/ San Ignacio y Mercaderes. Habana Vieja. Cine Dance Festival Casa Asia Tel: 7861-5798. Through Apr: Calle 5ta. Avenida y 94. Miramar. Mercaderes e/ Obrapía y Obispo. Painting exhibit “Arte en África Tel: 7203-7676. Fri. Apr. 17, Sat. in Urban La Habana Vieja. Tel: 7863-9740. libre” (Art in Free Africa), on 18 (8:30 pm) and Sun. 19 (5 Landscapes: Wed. Apr. 15: Exhibit Kiri-e: The the occasion of the 25th and pm): Show by Prodanza dance Japanese Art of Paper Cutting, 28th anniversaries of the company. “Ciudad en organized conjunctly with the independence of the Republics Japanese embassy in Cuba. of Namibia and Ghana, O´Reilly e/ Habana y Aguiar. Teatro Mella Movimiento” (City respectively. Habana Vieja. Tel: 7864-9518. Galería Collage Habana Through Apr Exhibit “Occidente in Motion) Calle San Rafael e/ Industria y Museo de Lombillo tropical” (Tropical West) by Consulado. Centro Habana. Tel: Esterio Segura (sketches made 7866-3793. Mon. Apr. 13: Exhibit at the beginning of the 1990s). “Nadie es puro” (No one is Curator: Concha Fontenla. Innocent) by Andy Rivero. Casa de la Obrapía Vitrina de Valonia Obrapía e/ Mercaderes y San San Ignacio e/ Muralla y Teniente Ignacio. La Habana Vieja. Tel: Calle Línea e/ A y B. Vedado. Tel: Rey. Plaza Vieja. Tel: 7868-3561. Sat. 7861-3097. Through Apr: Exhibit 7833-8696. Fri. Apr. 10, Sat. 11 Apr. 11 (10 am): Exhibit “D`líneas “Entre hilos, alas y pinceles” (8:30 pm) and Sun. 12 (5 pm): occidentals” (Western Lines), (Between Threads, Wings and Cuba’s Spanish Ballet Company featuring comic strips by the group Paintbrushes) by more than 20 performs. Gato de Negro (from Pinar del Río female artisans-artists from the province) and ComiK (Matanzas). city of Trinidad. Teatro Nacional de Cuba Loma y 39. Plaza de la Museo Numismático NIGHTCLUBS & Revolución. Tel: 7878-5590. Sala (Numismatic Museum) NIGHTCLUBSCABARETS & CABARETS Avellaneda. Sun. 19 (5 pm): Gala from April 15 to 19, Calle Obsipo e/ Mercaderes y San night marking the closing of organized by Danza-Teatro Ignacio. Habana Vieja. Tel: 7861-5811. Jazz Café the La Huella de España Festival “Retazos” dance company. Tue. Apr. 14 (10 am): A trip around Paseo y 1era. Galerías Paseo, 3er (Traces of Spain Festival). Cuban and universal architecture Piso. Vedado. Tel: 7838-3302. Fri. Main venue: Sala-Teatro Las featured on coins and bills. Apr: 10, 17 y 24 (9:30 pm): Zule Plaza de Armas Carolinas (9:00 pm). Empedrado Esq. Mercaderes. Guerra and Blues de Habana Obispo y Mercaderes.Habana Other venues: Casa Benito Casa Juan Gualberto Habana Vieja.Tel: 7860- (feeling-jazz-blue) Vieja. Tel: 7860-9530. Wed. Apr. Juárez (6:00 pm), Casa Gómez 4311. Through Apr: Exhibit 15 (9 pm): Street Dance Festival: Guayasamín (7:00 pm) and Empedrado e/ Habana y “Entretejidos” (Interwoven) Club Barbaram Pepito’s Bar “Ciudad en Movimiento” (City Casa Africa (8:00 pm). Compostela. Habana Vieja. Tel: by Ruth Mariet Trueba, Irina Calle 26 e/ Avenida Zoológico in Motion) opens, directed by 7866-4114. Fri. Apr. 17 (3 pm): González, Jorge Oliva and y 47, Nuevo Vedado. Tel: 7881- Isabel Bustos. Sun. 19 (9 pm): 26th edition of the Exhibit “Humor a golpe de Duvier del Dago, among others, 1808. Fri. Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24 (5 pm): Closing of the Festival. lápiz” (Graphic Humor) by David featuring traditional fabric and Diana Rosa Suárez and friends “La Huella de Williams Gallart Núñez. embroidered pieces. (). Centro de la Danza España” Festival Prado e/ Refugios y Genios, (Traces of Spain Habana Vieja. Tel: 7866-0806. Sala Noemí. Mon. Apr. 13, Tue. Festival) 14 and Wed. 15 (9 am- 12:30 pm): Workshop “Ciudad en Movimiento” (City in Motion), video art and performances.

Centro Cultural Barcelona-Habana Barcelona Esquina Águila. Habana Vieja. Wed. Apr. 22 (7 pm): Show “Flamenco por Dentro” (Flamenco from the Inside) by Ecos Dance Company.

Teatro Martí Dragones y Zulueta. Centro Habana. Tel: 7866-7153. Fri. Apr. from April 12 -19, dedicated 17, 24 Sat. 18, 25 (8:30 pm) and to Galicia. Sun.19, 26 (5 pm): “Alas” (Wings) by the Lizt Alfonso Ballet Headquarters: Teatro Mella Company. Artistic direction and (theater). choreographies: Lizt Alfonso. 10 CULTURE Beatlemania in Cuba, as Lively as Ever By CharlyMORALES

and 1970 that include tracks by and McCartney. Beatlemania has impacted not only the fans, but also giants of the Cuban music scene such as the Grupo de Experimentación Sonora of the Cuban Film Institute, the Van Van band, and singer- songwriter Silvio Rodriguez, among others. , ever ready to experiment with new sounds, were similarly seduced by the richness of Cuban music PHOTOs: FotosPL PHOTOs: manifest in the use of maracas, bongos, bells, and high HAVANA._ Having been adrift trombones, in many of their in a dark abyss for many years, songs. the Yellow Submarine has Cuban grandparents, come up beneath the Cuban acquire a copy of the work by The work is a musical Bible, good music. parents, and children have kept sun, in a nation that feels that journalist Joao Fariñas who, as peppered by facts, references, Significant dates related to these feelings alive, the way the Fabulous Four are also he intended to do, has written and curiosities about the group the band are also remembered one might treasure a valuable partly theirs. a book that goes beyond the made up of Lennon, Paul in Cuba, where, last January, the inheritance or an inexhaustible The crowded book-launch Cuban scene. McCartney, George Harrison, U.N.-instituted World Beatles legacy of peace, love, memories, of “The Long and Winding “It’s a book for the whole and Ringo Starr. Day was celebrated. and good music. Road of the Beatles” once again world, maybe not to read in Guille Vilar, the 2014 National In 1996, an International proved that the legendary just one sitting, but to consult Cultural Journalism prize- Colloquium on the impact Submarino Amarillo Club, foursome from Liverpool is and discover what lies behind winner, praised the maturity of Beatles music in Cuba – a Havana now an integral part of Cuban songs that have never fallen and depth of the analysis forerunner to the present day culture with inalienable rights out of fashion,” the author said. and the extent of research Beatlemania resurrection – was to sentimentality. Although the book took undertaken for the creation of held, comprising essays, books, The Yellow Submarine five years to research and the book whose title is derived and even a fan club. nightclub on 17th street in write, Fariñas considers it the from one of the band’s songs. Among the researchers who Vedado was filled with a wide fruit of a lifetime defined by Vilar recommended the stand out the most is Ernesto generational mosaic anxious to Beatles music. work as a book that brings Juan Castellanos, author of the Cubans even closer to a band books “The Beatles in Cuba, a whose universal impact also magical mystery tour,” “Sergeant Bar Yesterday, Trinidad left a musical, sentimental, and Pepper came to Cuba in a yellow cultural mark on this Caribbean submarine,” and “ country. in Havana with a little help from This, however, was not my friends.” always the case, and even There are also numerous though the Beatlemania did not covers of the greatest hits of 1960 fill Cuban TV and radio in the past, it touched the youth that always managed to find a way John Lennon Park to listen to such revolutionary sounds. For this reason, when a statue of John Lennon was unveiled many years later in the Havana park on the corner of 17th and 6th streets, close to the Yellow Submarine nightclub, many felt that a cultural and human debt was finally settled. That may have been the first, but it is by no means the only, Beatles statue in Cuba. Nowadays, almost every main provincial town has a venue dedicated both to the foursome Bar Yesterday, and to Anglo-Saxon rock in Camaguey general. Cities such as Bayamo, Holguín, Sancti Spíritus, Varadero and Santa Clara, have remodelled buildings or derelict plazas in memory of the Beatles and thereby established an oasis to quench the thirst for PHOTO FEATURE 11

African Dreams in the Cuban Grassland Text: RaúlGARCIA Photos: GARAL

HAVANA._ The happiness and Namibia’s Etosha National Park. Submarino Amarillo Club, enjoyment of children and adults Visitors can see families of lions Havana alike is extraordinary: expressions and mother lions such as Mariana, of admiration, sighs, and even which has an international record a tender hand held out to the of births, according to one of the African species enjoying the zoo’s staff. tropical Caribbean climate are The zoo animals are given commonplace in Cuba’s National careful attention by Cuban Zoo, a setting that boasts an area veterinarians and specialists as of more than 40 hectares of man- well as from Namibian experts made African grassland. involved in the Noah’s Ark Visitors can enjoy this Operation; the project under particular African atmosphere which these animals were some eight kilometers east of captured in that African country Havana, a setting that I like to and brought to Havana. call the Cuban prairie because the animals seem to be running free, enjoying a scenery featuring palm, mastic, and carob trees, as well as other Cuban plant species. The big cats like to have a nap under the leafiest trees, while the rhinoceros prefer to cool down in artificial lakes. Giraffes, antelopes, and other mammals move out of the way of the vehicles that circle the areas reserved for the prominent visitors: more than 140 animals of 22 different species from 12 INTERNATIONAL All-women Crew on Paraguayan Flight By JavierRODRIGUEZ

ASUNCION._ Letizia Ruiz is an example that serves commercial aviation in Paraguay and Latin America as she is the first female Paraguayan commercial pilot with 22 years of experience in aviation and 4 years as a pilot. But today Letizia is feeling happier than ever since she FOR PHOTOS OF CURRENT witnessed a historic event that seemed to be unimaginable ONLINE SALES EVENTS, OR HISTORIC PHOTOS just a few years back: an international flight with an all-women OF PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE PRENSA LATINA NEWS AGENCY FROM OUR ARCHIVES, crew. GO TO OUR WEBSITE: Letizia recounted her great surprise when realizing that the entire staff aboard the Asunción-Lima-Asunción flight she headed in late March were Paraguayan women. The co-pilot was Karin Arming Kaddat, who had joined the company in 2014 and who duely fulfilled her responsibilities. But that was not all. The rest of the crew members were all Paraguayan women who thoroughly enjoyed being part of the https://fotospl.com staff aboard that flight. This moment has now been recorded in the country’s civil aviation history. OUR SITE IS 100 PERCENT SECURE, Ruiz commented that she had always been the only woman AND WE GUARANTEE in the cockpit during the entirety of her professional career as a IMMEDIACY AND QUALITY!!! pilot until the day she had Karin Arming Kaddat as her copilot, and she could not be any happier: “I am the first female pilot FOR MORE INFORMATION, for commercial passenger flights (in Paraguay) and for many years I was the only woman. I cannot explain my surprise when CONTACT US!!! getting on that plane and seeing that my co-pilot and all the TELEPHONE: (537) 830-1344; (537) 830-2276 EXT. 120; AND (537) 834-6528. crew members were women as well,” she commented. EMAIL: [email protected] The flight took off from the Silvio Pettirossi International or [email protected]. Airport for Lima, Peru, and returned to Paraguay with the same crew. Panama Summit: The Possible Scenarios By OsvaldoRODRÍGUEZ

PANAMA CITY._ The atmosphere that will prevail at the In what may have been an error of judgement, the PROSPECTIVE CONFRONTATIONS seventh Summit of the Americas remains undefined regional political right might have thought that Cuba, The parallel continental forums sponsored by the as it could either be the ideal venue for the unification intoxicated by the rapprochement with its traditional Panamanian Foreign Office and the Organization of of the continent, as the Panamanian hosts and others political adversary, might distance itself from its American States (OAS) loom as potential points of hope, or the stage for a new confrontation with the natural ally. conflict between civil society, youth, university rectors, United States. A big mistake indeed. The stoic position of the and business people. There is no doubt, however, that it will be a historic island, formerly stated in declarations, was reiterated Some national preparatory summit seminars have moment, in which family photographs, dinners, and once again by president Raúl Castro himself at a warned of somewhat “sensitive” subjects that might be amicable bilateral talks will be the agenda of the day. recent summit of the Bolivarian Alliance of the Peoples motive for conflict. The much vilified term “democracy” International media will focus on three presidents of Our America (ALBA for its Spanish acronym) in will be hoisted on the banners of both, the participatory in particular: Cuba and Venezuela on one side, and the Caracas, where he stated that “U.S. imperialism has and representative bands, with opposing meanings U.S. on the other. unsuccessfully plotted every sort of subversion and and interpretations. Last December 17’s announcement on the thawing destabilization against the Chavista and Bolivarian Even at the Panamanian civil society forum serious of Cuba-U.S. relations came as a much needed relief revolution in an attempt to reestablish its control questions have been raised about the drafting of to the region that for the very first time witnessed, of the world’s largest oil reserves and strike a blow the meeting’s main text at the OAS headquarters in if not instant reconciliation, at least some courteous against the process of integration and emancipation Washington. dialogue after over 50 years of antagonism. unfolding in our America.” The host nation will try to showcase, to over The talks and decisions of both nations to open He also confirmed, once more, a historic position: 12,000 visitors, a beautiful, prosperous, and safe embassies in the near future fueled some optimism “the U.S. must understand for once and for all that Panama with smart neighborhoods, the Inter-oceanic and hopes that the Panama Summit might provide Cuba can neither be bought nor seduced, and that Canal, and natural reserves as examples of neoliberal a platform to resolve some of the thorniest issues; Venezuela cannot be intimidated - our bonds are achievements. perhaps allowing for an encounter between Cuban unbreakable.” They will endeavor to avoid exposing the profound president Raúl Castro and his U.S. counterpart, Barack At that same summit, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister inequalities and the extreme poverty endemic in Obama. Ricardo Patiño warned that Washington’s threats indigenous regions where transnational companies However, Obama’s presidential decree designating might be the prelude to an invasion; something that pillage ancestral lands for mining and power generation Venezuela as a threat to U.S. national security, is cannot be allowed in this country, he said. activities that fail to give back to the communities in considered a “diplomatic blunder” by many experts Other voices are advocating positions ranging any way. in the context of the optimistic atmosphere and the from condemnation to calls for the arraignment of a Other events such as the Peoples’ Summit and the present progress. U.S. government that must once again swallow the Indigenous Peoples‘ Summit should exemplify the In light of this infamy, Latin America and the bitter pill of isolation. unity of the voiceless, and of those whose respective Caribbean closed ranks in support of Venezuela. governments pay no heed to their cries. INTERNATIONAL 13 UN Target: Gender Equality by 2030 By WaldoMENDILUZA

potential.” During the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-59), held in New York in March, delegates from the five continents agreed on a Teresa Amarelle Rosana Alvarado Karol Cariola

program aimed at empowering of FotosPl PHOTOs: women and overcoming gender- “What kind of world is this empowerment of women. Correa took office in 2007 and based inequality. They also laid that condemns half of the Teresa Amarelle, general started the Citizen´s Revolution Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka out the mechanisms to do so. population to second-class secretary of the Federation in our country, we began to hold The progress made since the citizenship at best and abject of Cuban Women, a non- spaces unthinkable until then, UNITED NATIONS._ By 2030, Fourth World Conference on slavery at worst? What could governmental body comprising she said. the United Nations is aiming Women, held in Beijing 20 years it really cost to liberate female 4 million members, said that According to Alvarado, to resolve one of the most ago, cannot be underestimated potential?” she asked. declarations, campaigns, and 47 percent of all university serious issues facing humanity: although it is still far from the As statistics have highlighted, events are simply insufficient scholarships are awarded to discrimination against women global equality target. one in every three women to solve the problem – what women and nine out of every ten in the political, economical, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, suffers physical or sexual we need is action, and not just pregnant women are attended social, and cultural spheres. Executive Director of U.N.- violence at some point in her words. by the public health care system. For U.N. General Secretary, Women, said that she can not life, merely 22 percent of women According to Amarelle, in Meanwhile, Chilean deputy Ban Ki-moon, this ambitious hide her disappointment about hold parliamentary seats, and Cuba, women hold almost half of Karol Cariola commented that target constitutes a necessity the tardy progress of an issue only 7 percent of government or all state sector posts and seats at Michelle Bachelet’s return to in the face of the urgency that should be a global priority head of state posts are held by parliament, as well as 52 percent presidency about a year ago to advance in sustainable - especially since it has been women. of all employment positions for represented a boost for the development, the eradication of demonstrated that great progress which university qualifications gender agenda in her country. extreme poverty, and universal can be made when women hold POLITICAL WILL IS THE KEY are required. She outlined that even access to health care and key positions. Meanwhile, Rosana Alvarado, though Chile has not advanced education. During the CSW-59, the former At the CSW-59, The Havana the vice-president of the sufficiently, a Ministry for Women He cautioned that “the vice-president of South Africa Reporter talked to Latin Ecuadorian National Assembly, has been created, increased world can never fully meet stressed that the time has come American delegates who shared also highlighted how much can incentives for women to partake development and well-being to bring the shameful legacy of the view that the statutory be achieved when there is a will in the labor market are in place, goals if half of the population many centuries of discrimination political willingness and societal to change. and an electoral quota law which is unable to reach their full to an end. commitment are key to the When President Rafael will result in increased political participation has been passed. Super Telescope to be Built in South Africa By DeisyFRANCIS

PRETORIA._ South Africa is involved in formed. a far reaching mega-project which will The project has two functional result in the creation of the world’s largest precursors; the South Africa MeerKat telescope. telescope, which is connected to SKA The South African Minister for Science antennas, and the Australian SKA and Technology, Naledi Pandor, has Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope, a state of confirmed that the Square Kilometer Array the art instrument operational in Western (SKA) project, on which 11 nations are Australia that will continue to gather world collaborating, is making great progress. leading information for the SKA program. Apart from South Africa, SKA Through the installation of a scientific Organization members include Australia, instrument many times greater than Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, New anything that has existed to date, the Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, and SKA will dramatically change experts’ the United Kingdom. Additionally, several understanding of the universe. other countries have expressed their Headquartered at the Jodrell interest in joining the team in years to Bank Observatory in the U.K., the SKA come. Organization was established in December At a meeting recently held in Pretoria, 2011 in order to formalize international Pandor and her counterparts from partner relations and to centralize the Mozambique, Madagascar, Zambia, comprises two instruments of global science.” project. Mauritious, Kenya, Ghana, Namibia, reach: one in South Africa and the other With this telescope, the expert signalled According to John Womersley, and Botswana evaluated the project’s one in Australia. to the possibility of “the observation President of the SKA Administration development. In South Africa, this stage will involve of pulsars and black holes to detect Council, the next step will be to work with While the SKA project established the installation of around 200 parabolic gravitational waves foretold by Einstein as partner nations on the development of in Carnavon, Northern Cape, is still in its dishes – similar to, but far bigger than, well as signs of life in our galaxy.” an international organization before the infancy stage, “we are confident that the domestic satellite dishes – and more than He also expressed his hopes to study construction of the telescope in 2018. construction of the SKA will start in 2018 100,000 TV dish-like dipole antennas. one of the last remaining unexplored While many still consider this science- and expect the first scientific observations Recently, SKA Organization’s scientific periods in universal history - the re- fiction, others are convinced that the to be conducted in 2020,” she commented. director, Robert Braun, said that “thanks to ionization age - which would bring us back gigantic spy-glass will boost technological With a 650-million euro budget, the these two complimentary instruments we to the universe’s first billion years during development in the Big Data age and design of the project’s first phase, SKA1, can tackle a broad spectrum of front line which the very first stars and galaxies were produce findings worthy of a Nobel Prize. 14 ECONOMY

HAVANA._ The cooperation project credits to financially support works of Cuba-Kuwait: started by Cuba and Kuwait in the that magnitude,” said Al-Bader, who was hydraulic sector at the beginning of the accompanied by the regional director of Cooperation past decade continues to bear its fruits, his entity, Abdullah Al-Musaibeeh, and as recently demonstrated by the signing Kuwait’s ambassador to Cuba, Bader Al- Keeps Pumping of three agreements intended to support Awadi. repair works of the aqueduct and sewage Inés María Chapman said that the Water system in Havana. fund recently granted a credit worth In March, several Cuban entities and $21 million. With the total amount given By MarthaANDRÉS the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic for the restoration of the aqueduct and Development (KFAED) signed loan, sewage system in Havana, the total now guarantee, and project agreements that amounts to $52 million. will allow for the implementation of the Chapman asserted that this sum second phase of the project that had will provide the possibility to continue already been granted a credit from the repairing large water networks until Manuel Muñoa PHOTO: Arab institution in 2012 to fund hydraulic reaching residential homes and state to foster Cuban projects date back to works in the Cuban capital. entities. The project has been divided into 2003 when agreements to help restore The signing ceremony was led by several stages due to its magnitude. Santiago de Cuba’s aqueduct were signed. Cuban Minister for Foreign Trade and This type of agreement allows for a Six years later similar agreements Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, and financial source for the city, as the repair were signed to improve the water supply Abdulwahab Al-Bader, the KFAED director works started in all of the provinces’ network in the eastern city of Holguín, general, who signed all three agreements. municipalities in 2011 are expected to while the agreement to fund the first Meanwhile, President of the Cuban be completed within 14 years, the CHRI phase of the Havana project was signed Hydraulic Resources Institute (CHRI), president added. in 2012. Inés María Chapman, Deputy Minister Furthermore, she commented that According to Al-Bader, the institution for Finance and Prices, Félix Martínez, CHRI studiesshowed that more than founded in 1961 is willing to support and president of Cuba’s Foreign Trade $750 million would be needed to restore the third phase of the restoration works Bank, Manuel Antonio Vale, signed the the entire hydraulic network in Havana. in Havana. He added that the KFAED and agreements on the Cuban part. Consequently, efforts are being made in the Cuban Foreign Trade and Investment “This is the fourth time we have order to get other loans from different Ministry are analyzing the possibility of signed agreements with the island and financial sources. funding more projects in other key areas

FotosPL PHOTO: we are committed to continue granting The contribution made by the KFAED such as renewable energy.

FINANCE Opportunities and Alternatives in

New Economic Scenario By MarioESQUIVEL

HAVANA._ The international financial capacity. the creation of the public scenario, marked by pressures on the In addition to supporting the Asian Investment budgets at developed world, reveals new front implementation of infrastructural and Infrastructure Bank; the expense of line participants that are creating works and the management of public a Chinese initiative aimed at social investment. alternatives to longstanding multilateral and private enterprises in the founding financing projects in the Asia- Furthermore, the institutions. member countries, the Banco del Sur will Pacific region. free market structures in One of the emerging financial promote measures to foster economic With a start fund of 100 billion almost all sectors of goods institutions is the Banco del Sur (Bank integration in order to strengthen the dollars, some thirty nations have and services are void of any of the South) which, according to the Union of South American Nations. joined while various European state intervention. The latter Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo This institution will work to transfer economies, including the U.K., merely assumes a regulatory role Patiño, is expected to start operations in the control of the southern countries’ France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, when required. Caracas, Venezuela, this year. resources into their own hands, defying and Luxembourg, have expressed Additionally, in both institutions, Its Foundation Act was signed the traditional assumption that northern their interest of association. each member nation has an internal on December 9, 2007, by Argentina, banks offer better security for deposits. These new mechanisms defy the so- voting power relative to its economic Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Moreover, leaders of BRICS (Brazil, called Bretton-Woods institutions such size, current accounts, international Venezuela with the goal of setting up an Russia, India, China, and South Africa) as the International Monetary Fund reserves, and other economic variables. independent regional institution. recently gave their green light for the (IMF) and the World Bank. For example, within the IMF the U.S. The new entity will start operations creation of a development bank with an The IMF has been the focus of has a veto power due to its 16.7 percent with an 8-billion dollar fund which will initial capital of 100 billion dollars. ongoing criticism for its imposition of share while 24 African nations hold a rise to 20 billion when reaching its full Additionally, the past year witnessed fixed conditions intended to improve combined 1.34 percent. SPORTS 15 Cuba Goes Football Crazy By Anubis GALARDY

his junior contemporaries, lays his very soul on the line in efforts to halt airborne missiles – intended to bathe their masters in glory on impact -- of an opposing team. It seems to be an undisputed truth that this passion was miraculously conceived in Cuba when Diego Armando Maradona began to weave his legend from a golden fleece of magical goals that brought his name to lips in every corner of the globe. Maradona first came to Cuba in 1987 to receive the Prensa Latina 1986 Athlete of the Year Award and the until then somewhat distant hero witnessed the birth of a devotion to the “beautiful game” in this sister nation. The recent launch of a Cuban TV sports channel marks yet another incentive for the onward march of the game, fed by ample live and recorded broadcasts of international championships and the fiery excitement of real-time clashes between clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or European and Latin American counterparts.

FotosPL PHOTOs: The names of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Radamel HAVANA._ In a country renowned for baseball par- Falcao, Diego Alves, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Diego Forlan and excellence, a love of football, played on improvised Andres Iniesta, overseen by Pele and Maradona, are now Courtesy ofperiodico26 PHOTO: pitches with home-made balls of a quality that reveals an integral part of the fantasies and conversations of a troughs with ambitions to date focused on endeavors to the dreams and realities of the children and adolescents new generation of Cubans who dream of attaining such reach the second round in World Cup competition. who kick them about, is growing in parallel. glory and eternal fame. Although Díaz prefers football, he also loves baseball Balls made of materials at hand, though a far cry Such are the aspirations of adolescents like Ernesto and his ideal scenario is one where both rank equally on from the real McCoy, evoke in the players a sense that Diaz, who told the Prensa Latina news agency of his the island in terms of opportunity and interest, resulting the games, played according to the rules and observed designs on rising to stardom in a world of football, where in Idols who make Cuba brightly shine across the planet. by spectators who failed to make the teams and seem smartly trained and talented feet can open a direct route Like the legendary 1.68m tall Roberto Carlos, who unable to suppress their envy, are very real indeed. from earth to the heavens above. required only six or seven strides on any field before a The goalie, anchored in fantasy, represents an Ever since the first match was hosted in 1911, Cuban left-footed arrow-like launching of the ball towards the invisible boundary marked by this keeper selected by football has had a history hallmarked by peaks and opposing goal at a meteoric rate of 170km per hour. 16 CUBA Mariel Zone Lures Over 300 Foreign Companies By CiraRODRÍGUEZ

The approved projects are presently undergoing the process of commercial registration and, once this status is attained, they will be set up in the MSDZ, she added. Ana Teresa Igarza Within the upgrading of its economic model, Cuba is promoting foreign investments and transforming the MSDZ into its commercial gateway to the world. Igarza explained that the zone had been created with the intention of providing a space for various industrial branches incorporating modern service provision. This is why some companies related to those sectors are in the process of setting up their business there. She recalled that work on the MSDZ started in the area closest to the port and where a container terminal was built. The latter already features port facilities, railway and road infrastructures, as well as the first logistics area. The official commented that progress is in line with HAVANA._ An entrepreneurial online forum, held before the approved schedule for the construction of basic the Summit of the Americas in Panama, revealed that infrastructure including internal roads, electrical networks, Cuba has received over 300 formal expressions of interest water and sewage systems and communications. in doing business in the Mariel Special Development Igarza also spoke of the bed dredging works which Zone (MSDZ). aim to deepen the entrance canal from 13.5 to 18 The forum dealt with some of the topics on the meters. This project is expected to be completed when agenda of the second Business Summit of the Americas, the Panama Canal completes its widening project in including food security and agriculture, economic mid-2016. integration, economic empowerement of women, She also highlighted that, due to environmental energy, infrastructure, and information technology, reasons, the use of explosive for the amplification of the among others. entrance had been ruled out. In response to various questions and comments Operated by the world leading Singapore PSA about the MSDZ, Ana Teresa Igarza, director general of the company, the new Mariel container terminal is in line office that oversees the aforementioned zone, said that with a development strategy that will lengthen the peer applications received were in the process of preparing up to 2400 meters long which will allow it to handle their respective documents. some 3 million containers per year. FotosPL PHOTO: