Cuba’s Hemingway Int’l Nautical Club to Host Coastal Fishing Tournament

A coastal fishing tournament for amateurs will take place on Saturday at Havana’s Malecon seafront, organized by the Hemingway International Nautical Club as part of several activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its foundation on May 21. Jose Miguel Diaz Escrich, Commodore of the Club, told ACN that registration for the competition will begin early on Saturday in the areas near the National Hotel and that they expect the participation of 300 fishermen, members of the Cuban Federation of Sports Fishing. Activities for the Club’s 20th anniversary have included a regatta, a rowing competition, the creation of the first Jose Marti and the Sea club, and a ceremony in which awards were presented to outstanding former and active Cuban canoeists and kayak experts. Currently, the Havana-based Hemingway International Nautical Club has more than 2,500 members from 60 countries, including the United States, Canada, Italy, Spain, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

Cuba May Be the Most Feminist Country in Latin America

Cuba may just be the most feminist country in Latin America. It ranks No. 3 in the world when it comes to the political participation of women in Parliament, according to a United Nations survey on women in politics. And it’s the only nation in Latin America to rank in the top 20 in the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2011. The Female Factor Examining the role and impact of women in society In sheer numbers and percentages, Cuban women’s advance is notable. Cuba has a high number of female professional and technical workers (60 percent of the total work force in those areas) and in Parliament (43 percent), as well as high levels of primary, secondary and tertiary education enrollment, according to the Gender Gap report. In contrast, Brazil, the region’s economic behemoth, ranks 82nd overall in the world, according to the report, though it moved up three places last year with improvements in women’s wages, estimated earned income and the election of a female head of state, President Dilma Rouseff. What explains Cuba’s record? Sarah Stephens, the director of the Center for Democracy in the Americas, a Washington-based advocacy and research organization that focuses on Cuba and U.S.-Cuba relations and opposes the U.S. embargo, is working on a report on the status of women in Cuba. “Cuban women tell us that they feel lucky to have come of age since 1959,” she says. “Before 1959, women comprised only 5 percent of university graduates and only 12 percent of the work force, often holding menial jobs.” Today, she says, women make up 41 percent of the Communist Party, half of the island’s work force, the majority of students in high schools and universities, 60 percent of university faculties and the majority of provosts and department heads (but not presidents). And women hold top portfolios in ministries and in key provincial positions. “Fidel Castro called for women’s rights as a ‘revolution within a revolution’ and this commitment became tangible through changes in legislation and policy,” Ms. Stephens says. But, that said, “women within the system argue strongly for what remains to be done, and they criticize the gaps between rhetoric and practice,” Ms. Stephens says. “Women speak to us about a ‘gender paradox’ in Cuba — a nation legally committed to equality but harnessed to a historic structure of patriarchy.” Going forward, in the more market-oriented economic restructuring that will lay off thousands of state workers, women fear they will lose their jobs and will not find non-state employment in jobs traditionally held by men, Ms. Stephens says. “Women also worry that the aging of Cuba’s population will increase family burdens, and hence women’s burdens,” she says. “As the reforms to the economic model take place, and Cuba stops, for example, lunch programs at work, more food will need to be prepared at home, and that will land on women.” Politically, there’s a glass ceiling, Ms. Stephens says. “It’s evident by looking at Cuba’s most senior leadership around President Raúl Castro.” My Page Two column shows how women’s advances across Latin America are surpassing the United States and matching Europe. / Taken from en/Cubadebate.cu http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/cuba-may-be-the-most-feminist-country-in-latin-america/

Canadian Friends in Holguin

On May 1st, a Canadian brigade made up by 45 members, including students, workers and retired people, arrived in Holguin to participate in the May Day celebrations along with our people. In these days, these friends in solidarity with our country have been developing several activities such as visit to schools, exchange of ideas with citizens and workers and the participation in productive works for the construction of housing for people affected by hurricane Ike in the province. They also participated in las Romerias de Mayo Festival that concluded Tuesday. This is a cultural event that take place every year in Holguin, gathering local and foreign artists, mostly young people representing different cultural manifestations, faithful exponents of the culture of their people. That's why this event has turned into the festival of Young Art. The brigade of solidarity attended an International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba and learned details of the case of the five Cuban antiterrorists unjustly held in the United States since 1998. On May 9, they will travel to Santiago de Cuba to visit historic places such as the former Moncada Garrison, the Jose Marti mausoleum, and the Vilma Espin memorial, among others. Their 15-day stay in Cuba will also serve to understand well the daily life of Cubans and mainly of the people of this eastern city.

Guarapo de caña, as sweet as Cubans themselves

Perhaps because of their daily routine, some traditional drinks go unnoticed when speaking on Cuban cuisine. However, for their originality and roots in our culture, they occupy an important place in the history of food in Cuba. One of the main characteristics of Cuban drinks is their high sweet taste and that should be serve cold, with ice cubes. I would like to reffer to the well-known Cuban Guarapo de Caña (sugar cane juice), which is nothing more than the sugar cane strained juice. This ecological drink, besides having a pleasant taste and excellent nutritional characteristics to be rich in sugars, protein and calories, it is also one of the "traditional labels" of Cuban people during the summer months or dry season. Drinking a glass jar of chilled fresh sugar cane juice on hot days is a ruthless act of pleasure. The fascinating thing about the juice of sugar cane is, if not drunk just seconds after being obtained, it gets dark, and gloomy. So drinking this juice can not be a solo act, opening a sealed bottle, but the crowd of more than a traveler in search of the oasis.

It is common to see in the streets of Cuba the guaraperas (a mechanism to obtain cane sugar juice). It is a small electric press of fluted roller with a channel that collects the juice. It history dates back when black men were taken from Africa and forced to work as slaves (but this is another story). This juice, also known in Panama and Venezuela, is part of Cuban popular culture and due to its own characteristics, it has failed to be bottled so we should drink it very fresh, freshly squeezed.

The Flower of Holguin, Beauty Flower

Almost 20 years ago, it was discovered in the highlands of Pinares de Mayari, a site located about 100 kilometers from the province of Holguin in eastern Cuba, and protected by a special microclimate. It is beautiful and attractive. So small that anyone would shudder at their delicate petals and its elongated leaves. It is called Jazmin del Pinar or Manzanillo. Its flower is red, a color representing the protection of nature and green leaves ecosystem conservation, international symbols of environment. It was about two decades ago when it was proposed, including five species, that the Jazmín del Pinar was choosen as the Flower of Holguin, for being delicate and esave a historic legend that dates back to the time of the mambises. The flower of Holguin had to be unique to this province and should have had participation and legend in the historical and cultural life of the territory. Finally, it was needed to find among its features aesthetic values such as beauty. It was first discovered and collected in 1909 in Pinares de Mayari by JF Shafir, along the road of Piedra Gorda to Minas Woodfred, in Pinares de Mayari, at an altitude of about 400 or 500 feet above the Sea. But this flower saves more history. According to a survey made to farmers in Pinares de Mayari, the milky latex of this plant was used by the mambises to cause stomach upset to the Spanish soldiers. This delicate flower has been chosen on many occasions to pay tribute to martyrs and heroes of the nation for its significance among the symbols of Holguin. It was also chosen to be in the arms of the province which makes its brightness special. This plant is exhibited in the Botanical Garden of Holguin and Havana. And there are some samples in the Botanical Garden of Montreal, Canada. Although it loves the sun and rain and flowers all year round is not yet common in our gardens or view them rule over the green areas of schools and parks. It belongs to the Pascua and Cardona families, so who cultivate this plant should treated with respect and care.

Pope's vist to Cuba: The rain also blessed our island

“I thank God for allowing me to visit this beautiful Isle which left so deep a mark on the heart of my beloved predecessor, Blessed John Paul II, when he came to these lands as a herald of truth and hope.” Said His Holiness Benedicto XVI in his recent visit to this caribbean island.

Pope's visit to Cuba was a religious and social event that marked the lives of Cubans. Both in the Holy Mass in the eastern city of Santiago, as in the capital, the Pope found a crowd that welcomed him with respect and affection.

And just like in old legends, rain conspired again to bring good omens to Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba, during the Mass in Santiago, there were believers and nonbelievers holding hands as a sign of peace under an unexpected rain that started to fall with the Lord's Prayer.

The same happened while the act of farewell to the Supreme Pontiff in Havana, where the people knowing that this was holy water, remained on both sides of the entrances to the Jose Marti International Airport of Havana, firm in their desire not to lose the opportunity to give a farewell to one who blessed this prodigal land, a land of people with determined convictions.

And Cubans, some without professing Catholic faith, we pray for a happy return of Benedict XVI to the Vatican.

Religions are Part of this People and Culture

Archimandrita Atenágoras (Orthodox Church from the Patriarchate of Constantinople)

I think that the visit of the pope Benedict XVI to Cuba is very important. The Catholics people are feeling the happiness we also felt when the patriarch visited Cuba and they are also being targeted now by the calumnies and disinformation broadcast overseas like equally happened to us in the past.

I do think that it is an important event for Cuba and for all of us given that he is a very important religious leader in the world and he realizes the way we really are and that constitutes the reason he is coming.


Aristides La Madrid (Vice-president of the Cuban Abakuá association)

It is possible to talk today on the good links between the churches and the local society in general.


Reverend Marcial Miguel Hernández (President of the Council of Churches of Cuba)

It will be a pleasure to contribute in anything that could be necessary.

Anything in which we could help, it would be a pleasure given the fact that here does not exist the fratricide among religious groups. Benedict 16th will watch the harmony that exists here.


David Prinstein (Vice President of the Hebrew community of Cuba)

There are years of experience on the work carried out by local religious organizations, thus enabling to receive with great expectations a pope in Cuba once again.


Enrique Alemán (President of the espirita Quisicuaba Society)

Lots of respect for Benedict 16th, his visit constitutes a moment for the mutual religious benefit and exchange. Therefore, it is a space to recognize that all type of faith is valuable if it is taken into account the community dimension of Jesus.


Gabriel Coderch (General Coordinator of the Reflection and Solidarity Group Oscar Arnulfo Romero)
I am a catholic representative. Therefore, the pope has a clear importance for me given my type of faith. His visit reaffirmed the will of the Cuban government in relation to guarantee the religious freedom as well as giving the space that all the Christian organizations have to develop our work.


María Amelia Yi (Church of Friends)

For us, as the ecumenical people, this is an opportunity of exchange, a party and a celebration.


Antonio Castañéda (President of the Yoruba Cultural Association)

It is an important event as it constitutes the defense of our nation.

The common enemy has tried to destabilize us even through money. However, it cannot be forgotten the fact that inside the religious people´s heart the main component is love.

I do think that it is really favorable the visit to Cuba of Benedict 16th. There were many positions previously manipulated and aimed at making to clash the Catholic Church with Cuba. Therefore, the arrival of the pope demonstrates once again the he is also fighting for mankind. I see his visit as an act of respect to our sovereignty.


Imán Yahya Pedro Lazo (President of the Islamic league of Cuba)

The first thing we have to do is precisely to be able to love our fellow man. Besides, Allah is for us what the word god means for others in English language. In short, god, the divine power, has established norms and commands so that the human being behaves according to them.

Being together, it is necessary to carry out actions in favor of the peace and progress of the peoples.

In Cuba all the religions are together and there is respect towards them all. Therefore, the visit from Benedict 16th is an opportunity to work for the common benefit of everyone as it is a magnificent and good chance for all the Cuban people.


(By Ana Teresa Badía)