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Showing posts from April, 2018

The Forbidden Shore: A Documentary about Cuban Music (Traducido al español)

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Written by Sophia Bass, translated below by Izzy Valdés. Cuba is known for its diverse music scene that combines European, African, and  Caribbean sounds. While you may be familiar with Cuban band, Buena Vista Social Club, the majority of the international world has not been exposed to Cuba's wide array of musicians and artists that play regularly on the streets of Old Havana.  The documentary,  The Forbidden Shore ,  showcases over 40 performances and interviews by Cuba's top artists. This film highlights how little the global world knows about Cuba and Latin America. Director Ron Chapman wanted the international community to know about the diversity of Cuban music. Chapman explains that he was in awe when he traveled to Cuba for the first time because he was unaware of the musical diversity on the Caribbean island. Artistic Director, Diana Vargas states, "We wanted to show a snapshot of the work that is being produced in Cuba today." As many people want

Elections in Cuba: How it Works (traducido al español)

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Written by Ian Sergeant and Sophia Bass, translated below by Izzy Valdés. Cuba’s presidential elections having just passed, we thought we would help alleviate any confusion that there may be regarding Cuba’s electoral process. In 2007, Raul Castro assumed power when his brother Fidel Castro fell ill. He was officially elected president in February 2008. After his reelection in 2013, Raul promised that he would only hold power for this second 5-year term, and then step down as president. This was extended by a couple of months after Hurricane Irma, in order to ensure the stability of the republic. On April 19th, 2018, Cuba’s National Assembly elected Miguel Diaz-Canel president of Cuba. The National Assembly of People’s Power is Cuba’s Parliament and is made up of 605 members, chosen on a local level through democratic elections. The last election was March 2018. They are the only body in the Republic invested with constituent and legislative authority. This means that when it is

A Lesser Known City in Cuba: Camagüey ( traducido al español)

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Written by Sophia Bass and Izzy Valdés. Translated below by Izzy Valdés. The majority of international travelers may not know about the lesser traveled destinations in Cuba. There is a special village right in the very heart of this island that is worth discovering. Camagüey, formerly called “Santa Maria Del Puerto del Principe” is one of the first seven villages founded by the Spaniards in Cuba and also one of those places you should not miss when traveling to this Caribbean Island. Founded in 1514 in the northern coast of the territory, the town became an urban center for the sugar and cattle industry. Known for its beautiful colonial architecture, you can find endless labyrinthian alleys, numerous squares, and ornate cathedrals, as the city is known for its Catholic history. Exploring a city like Camagüey is quite a challenge. When it seems you have reached the end of a street, it merges with the beginning of another, totally unexpected - right before your eyes you have