Cuban artists and intellectuals appeal for end of US blockade

To end the blockade and for solidarity with Cuba
Cuban artists and intellectuals appeal to their colleagues worldwide

BY MIREYA CASTAÑEDA

NOTABLE figures in the Cuban arts announced a call appealing to the sensitivity of their colleagues all over the world "to demand the immediate end of the criminal U.S. blockade and to promote actions of solidarity and help for our people."

National award winners of every expression of artistic creation, notable national figures and the National Council of the Union of Cuban Writers and Artists (UNEAC), gathered in the institution’s Martínez Villena Hall to sign the document.

The presentation to the national and international media was led by UNEAC President Miguel Barnet, accompanied by Alicia Alonso, Roberto Fernández Retamar, Eusebio Leal and Graziella Pogolotti.

Barnet thanked everyone at the event for their "presence in solidarity during these difficult and dramatic moments that our country is experiencing."

He explained that the document "With CUBA today" was the idea of artists and writers. "It is not institutional, nor is it signed by UNEAC," but by each individual.

Likewise, he mentioned the donations that many artists and writers have been bringing to UNEAC headquarters as an "extraordinary mobilization of solidarity," because "unfortunately, two hurricanes crossed the country in a disastrous journey."

The donations are contributing to mitigating the pain and shortages of basic items, he added.

He also referred to the importance of the artistic brigades touring the hardest-hit provinces as "encouragement for the victims," who are receiving a message of love, affection and solidarity.

COMPAÑEROS, WAKE UP

Eminent ballerina Alicia Alonso gave an emotional speech in a hoarse voice, but, as she said, "It isn’t hard to speak when your heart does so."

The prima ballerina assoluta directed several questions to the people of the United States and "those great artist friends that we have there."

"Why do they deny us the right to live?"

"Why are we not allowed to live?"

"Why, if we want to exchange with those who we know?"

"We don’t understand how someone can be so confused."

The diva stated that the suffering in one part of the United States as well is known, but added, "that is what the entire island has suffered."

"We are not asking for charity; we are asking for the human right to be equal and to live in the same world in which we all live and we have to defend the life and existence of this world.

"Compañeros, wake up, because you only live once and we are together," a very emotional Alicia Alonso affirmed.

Her beautiful, sincere and profound words prompted the dozens of people gathered in the Martínez Villena to stand and sing the national anthem, before going to sign books set up in the patio.

More than 200 celebrities of Cuban culture appear among the first to sign the appeal: Cintio Vitier, Leo Brouwer, Alfredo Guevara, Pablo Milanés, Silvio Rodríguez, César López, Nancy Morejón, Antón Arrufat, César Portillo de la Luz, Chucho Valdés, Guido López Gavilán, Omara Portuondo, Roberto Fabelo, Fernando Alonso, Rosita Fornés, Harold Gramatges, Fernando Pérez, Vicente Revuelta, Carilda Oliver Labra, Abelardo Estorino, Daisy Granados, Verónica Lynn and Lesbia Vent Dumois.

Translated by Granma International •