Fher admires Cuba, its people and art

The singer of the Mexican band Maná, Fernando Olvera, expressed his admiration for Cuba and its people, because despite being a small country has an impressive art. Cuba is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world, whose greatness is shown not only by its music, dance, painting and poetry, but also in sports and medicine, said Fher in an interview with the Matanzas' radio broadcasting system, Radio 26. During the conversation, which took place at the Varadero beach, the lead singer of the popular rock band expressed his intention to present soon in Cuba, in a personal capacity. I would like to make it free for people. For me it is a dream to share with all these people who like Mana and do not have the possibility to go to another country to see a concert. Besides, we owe much to Cuban music, from trova to salsa, the artist said. The interpreter of popular themes such as “Vivir sin aire” and “Te lloré un río” said: we still live in the illusion of music, we are not and we were not even for money. ( ... ) We are because we love music and we like to share it with people . " Fher, who tries to go unnoticed in the crowd resting on the peninsula of Varadero, expressed his desire to return to Cuba because it is an amazing country, where despite the economic problems people always have a smile on their face. In message dedicated to the Cuban people, the Mexican artist said he is very pleased that Cubans like the band, in a country that is a seed-bed of artists and musicians as well. He also expressed satisfaction in knowing that on the largest island of the Antilles, the public is familiar with the work of the group as well. "They have sought and found Mana. That touches my heart. Cuba touches my heart ," he said. With information from Cubasi.cu

End of the year celebrations

Cubans plan our time and money to have a good new year celebration , but each with our own way to spend this time. Typical dishes consisting of roast pork, turkey or fried chicken, congrí criollo (rice and beans), yuca con mojo, a variety of desserts and of course, the cold beer, are dinner menu. Approaching the 12 hours, most families wait the official time in front of the TV, to celebrate a year of revolutionary triumph. Then comes the hug, congratulations, good wishes and a very common ritual of throwing water out doors. It has to do with the belief of cleaning the bad period left behind and bring feelings of hope for the coming year. Cubans also dress in their best clothes, and there are even those who light candles and place their hopes in the horoscope predictions and zodiac, following recommendations according to the letter. And there are those who decide to change the tradition. Country people coming to town for roasting a pig on a “Pua” and thus enjoy a year-end in the "civilization". Whatever the way Cuban families choose to celebrate the end of the year, we always have fun and joy coming together even more, asking good things for everyone.

English Version of Fresa y Chocolate at Off Broadway Theater in New York

An adaptation of the award-winning Cuban film Fresa y chocolate has reached the Off Broadway theater in New York, on his debut in English, starred by Dominican actor Roy Arias, who for two years cherished the idea of representing the story. "I really liked the theme of intolerance (the script ) and the character of the protagonist is spectacular ," said Arias, who founded the International Theatre Studio in Times Square and opened theater 77 a year ago, where he presents his works. The Dominican actor, who plays Diego in this part (Strawberry and Chocolate), said to be pleased that the public has reacted " super good" to the work, which also perform Andhy Mendez and Frank Huerta. Eugenio Nunez, adapted the story into English for theater in New York, where it will be presented Friday and Saturday until late December at the Theatre 777 in the popular area of Times Square, under the direction of Roger Robinson, Tony Award winner and with 47 years of experience in New York's cultural activities. / With information from Lecturas Cibercuba

Cuban Interests Section in Washington Reestablishes Consular Services up to February 17

The Cuban Interests Section in Washington announced the reestablishment of consular services until February 17th. According to Granma newspaper, on December 6th, the M and T Bank informed the Interests Section its decision to extend until March 1, 2014 the deadline of the definitive closing of the banking account of the Cuban office, explaining that the bank will process deposits until February 17, 2014. The Cuban Interests Section continues to look for a new bank to definitively normalize its consular services. The office has expressed its regret for any inconveniences brought about by the suspension of consular services on November 26, 2013 either for both Cuban and US citizens.

Cuban Interest Section in Washington Closes Consular Services

The Cuban Interest Section in Washington announced the interruption of consular services beginning November 26 and till further notice, amidst the impossibility to have a financial institution willing to keep its bank accounts as a consequence of the US economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba. A statement by the Cuban Interest Section in the US capital, cited by Cubadebate webpage, explains that despite countless contacts with the US Department of State and numerous banks, the office has been forced to close consular services. The Cuban office explains that on July 12, the M & T Bank notified that it would not continue to offer its services to foreign diplomatic missions. The Bank gave the Cuban Interest Section and the island’s permanent mission at the United Nations a limited period of time to finish relations and find a new bank. But due to current restrictions derived from the US blockade against Cuba, the office has not been able to find another bank that keeps the bank accounts of the two diplomatic missions. For this reason, the Cuban Interest Section in Washington has been forced to suspend consular services as of November 26 till further notice, the statement explains and adds that the office will only attend to humanitarian issues and of other nature in a limited way. The Cuban office has reiterated the US Department of State that the US government has the legal obligation to meet international conventions on services to be granted to diplomatic missions and consular offices to facilitate their appropriate work. The statement recalls the accord dated May 30, 1977, which set up the two interest sections both in Washington and Havana, in which both parties affirmed their commitment to international treaties that rule diplomatic and consular relations. The Cuban office in Washington particularly regrets the inconveniences that this situation will have for Cuban and US citizens, due to the impossibility of the Consular Section to keep offering its services, which include the issuance of passports, visas, legalization of documents and others. The statement concludes by saying that such inconveniences will have a negative impact on family visits, academic, cultural, educational, scientific and sports exchange between Cuba and the United States. / With Information from ACN

Young Farm Lad with the Will of a Creator

"Tired of suffering from pain in my feet, one day, while I was preparing to help my dad to plant some grain in La Lucy farm, I got the idea of that invention, to which I can already name: agricultural implement, made from waste material,"says Carlos Rafael Heres Pérez , the son and grandson of farmers. “Farmers at the José Martí and Antonio Maceo agricultural cooperatives, in the municipality of Calixto Garcia, welcomed the initiative,” said the 22-year-old young man, whose main pastime since he was a child was creation. On many occasions he was surrounded by other children, whose astonished eyes, watched as from his hands came a small miniature bicycle or a figure carved in wood, hobbies that gradually turned him into an innovative self-taught person, with that undeniable and irreplaceable practical reason. The truth is that today they are solid criteria to substantiate the advantages of the new "equipment”. As expressed by Rafael Vega Avila, president of the José Martí farmer cooperative: " This invention replaces approximately 12 men’s work and performs several tasks, with a single movement : it plows, fertilizes, plants various types of grains, covers, earths up planting and allows seeding uniformity, both in space and depth in the seed set." So far, the economic results are important as it has contributed to saving fuel, lessening expenses for labourers. The larger number of hectares planted in a day, the seed deposited has the same moisture, a factor that greatly helps germination and saves about $ 460.00 Cuban pesos per hectare. After meeting the practical operation of this agricultural implement, which makes the work easier of the labourers, we need to think big to the possible generalization, which is usually the " Cinderella" of Science and Technology. But the same need to replace imports and untie the knots that bind the productive forces it is well worth looking for solutions like this, one of the thousands of practical innovations from our people, to make the land of this region produce. With Information from Radio Juvenil

I really enjoyed the place

This is a pleasant place in one of the many beaches of our country, a corner where every summer we go to relax and enjoy the warm sun and white sand.