“Culture and Sustainability in Cuba”

Sample Program

Havana, Cuba

December 7 – 15, 2012

 

Sat, Dec 7:  

Arrival in Havana  Transfer to hotel.  Dinner at hotel buffet and Orientation meeting. Film festival showing 

Sun, Dec 8:  

City Tour including sites of historical, cultural and environmental significance in Havana and Old Havana. 

Lunch in Old Havana

Museo del Bellas Artes or Museo de la Revolución

Welcome dinner with Cuban hosts and guests                                      

Film festival and optional cultural activities

Mon, Dec 9:  

Panel discussions with the staff of the Antonio Núñez Jimenez Foundation for Nature and Humanity, an NGO affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and one of our host organizations. Discussion on the integration of the principles of environmentalism and sustainability into Cuban cultural life.

Lunch at paladar with FANJ staff

Film festival and optional cultural activities

Tue, Dec 10:  

Take the Ferry across the Bay of Havana to the Municipality of “Regla” and its renowned Church, “La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Regla y La Santisima Virgen de Regla” with its main alter of a black Madonna venerated in the Catholic faith in Cuba and associated in the Santeria religion with “Yemaya,” the “ Orisha” of the ocean, protector of sailors, etc. and meeting with Ernesto Valdez Jane at Proyecto Orunmila

Lunch

Visit to the “Guanabacoa” Community Cultural Center and Museum, famous for its Afro-Cuban Cultural exhibits/collections on slavery, Santeria and other Yoruba/Afro-Cuban religions and cultural traditions

Film festival and optional cultural activities

Wed, Dec 11:  

Visit with representatives of UNEAC, Union of Cuban Artists and Writers and with ICAIC, the Cuban Film Institute.  Learn about their schools and programs of support for writers, artists, filmmakers. Discussion on issues of freedom of self expression, politics, gender and race.

Lunch in neighborhood of artist Jose Fuster.  Tour artistic projects and meet with artists and community members.

Film festival and optional cultural activities                                   

Thu, Dec 12:   

Visit the Fernando Ortíz Foundation in Vedado for discussion of culture and history of Guanabacoa and the similarities of Caribbean and Pacific Island cultures

Lunch at Casa de la Amistad. 

Discussion of current issues between Cuba and the US with speakers from the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the People (ICAP)

Visit La Murealando neighborhood reclamation and art project.

Film festival and optional cultural activities

Fri, Dec 13: 

Visit Las Terrazas community.  Visit with artists, reforestation experts and workers, organic garden workers, as well as family doctor clinic and local school or day care center.

Lunch at El Romero vegetarian restaurant with organic farm director and pioneer vegetarian chef, Tito Núñez, and workers.

Return to Havana

Film festival (last day) and optional cultural activities                 

Sat, Dec 14:  

Visit Havana Botanical Garden with Cuban naturalist.

Lunch at vegetarian restaurant El Bambu

Evaluation meeting

Farewell dinner with Cuban hosts and guests in Old Havana or the Hotel Nacional

Optional cultural activities, i.e. Buena Vista Social Club

Sun, Dec 15:  

Depart for US

 

Other possible visits:

Advanced Schools for the arts, music or dance

Panel discussion on health care and educational systems

Film Maestra! and talk by 1961 Cuban Literacy Campaign pioneer Norma Guilliard