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We live and breathe Cuba every day. As the island’s first independent daily new outlet, we pride ourselves in showing our readers Cuba’s reality through the lens of its protagonists - the Cuban people. Cuba is in a profound state of change. We want to be citizens of the 21st century. It is our sincere hope that your visit to our country helps empower those changemakers on the island who are dreaming of a different Cuba. To this end, we have prepared for you a list of suggestions with things to read, see and hear prior to your trip. You will experience much more on the island. But these suggestions will begin to spark your curiosity of what it means to see Cuba, with depth.

 

Articles

There's Much More to Cuba Than Cigars and Vintage Cars, by Yoani Sánchez. To learn more about Yoani’s work on in Cuba, read this Forbes article.

 

Barack Obama Seduces Cubans, by Miriam Celaya. 14ymedio’s English Edition has other articles about Cuba written by independent Cuban journalists.

 

Faces of Cuba, photo essay by Johnny Harris. Vox has done several multimedia pieces on Cuba that are well-reported.

 

Stay or Go? Cuban Entrepreneurs Divided on Where to Stake Futures, by Frances Robles. The New York Times has done extensive coverage on Cuba since the normalization of relations between the U.S. and Cuba

Cuba under Fidel’s long shadow, by Liz Mineo. Fidel Castro achieved goals yet eroded rights, and leaves an uncertain legacy, Professor Jorge Dominguez says.

Books

Havana Real: One Woman Fights to Tell the Truth about Cuba Today by Yoani Sánchez

Powerful testimony. Excerpts from the personal blog of Yoani Sanchez, Cuba’s most recognized independent journalist and founder of 14ymedio.

 

Adiós Hemingway, by Leonardo Padura

Literary classic. Fiction novel by one of Cuba’s most renowned contemporary authors, winner of the 2016 Princess of Asturias Prize in Literature. Set in Hemingway’s home during his final days in Cuba.

 

Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy, by Carlos Eire

Beautifully written. The struggle of exile, nostalgia and identity. Describes the Cuban and Cuban-American experience in a captivating way.

 

Dreaming in Cuban, by Cristina García The classic Cuban story. Three women from different generations, divided by their political ideologies, geographical barriers, and past.

The King of Cuba, by Cristina García.  A very fun book that showcases the extremes of Cuban culture.

 

Movies

The classics include the Oscar-winning Fresa y Chocolate, Guantanamera, and Memorias del Subdesarollo. However, more contemporary Cuban films have been digging deeper into important issues in today’s society.

 

Suite Habana, director Fernando Pérez

If you do one thing before leaving on your trip, it is watching this documentary. It is absolutely beautiful and showcases daily life in Cuba through they eyes of its people.

 

Conducta, director Ernesto Daranas The story of a young boy who has to grow up way too quickly and the veteran teacher who helps him along the way.This film received wide international acclaim.

 

Habanastation, director Ian Padrón

It might be difficult to find with subtitles in English, but this film highlights the growing inequality felt in Cuba today, quite contrary to what a Socialist system should be all about.

 

 

 

Music

Everyone knows Buena Vista Social Club, but that only scratches the surface of Cuban music. Find a complete list of what is playing in Cuban homes today by exploring the Cuba Music Youtube Channel.

 

Carlos Varela is perhaps Cuba’s most eclectic musician. The lyrics are powerful. Check out All His Greatest Hits (2013) for a good mix of his work.

 

Gente de Zona has exploded into the international lime light in the last couple of years by mixing more urban rhythms and performing alongside renowned latin artists like Enrique Iglesias, Marc Anthony and Pitbull.

 

Cuban salsa has evolved tremendously during the last decade. More contemporary groups like Havana de Primera still stay true to the classic salsa of the 80’s and 90’s.

 

Orishas and other younger Cuban artists have rescued Cuba’s African heritage in their music. Timba and cubaton are favorite genres for millennials.

Deep Cuba: A Sparking your Curiosity Guideage

Next Steps

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* Based on double room occupancy, Single room supplement is $1099.

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2) Schedule Google Hangout with Trip Leaders  - Contact Nicole Stiles at nicole@howwomenlead.com or Sarah Quan at sarah@howwomenlead.com to schedule a time.

3) Complete Travel Information Form if you have not already

4)  Read and watch recommendations below.

By Yoani María Sánchez Cordero

 

 

 

Yoani María Sánchez Corderois a Cuban blogger who has achieved international fame and multiple international awards for her critical portrayal of life in Cuba under its current government. She is a University of Havana graduate in philology, emigrated to Switzerland in 2002, to build a new life for herself and her family.

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