UNEAC in Matanzas: With the Momentum of the Avant-Garde.
To deepen in what is needed for the advancement of culture in Matanzas and continue with the momentum of an organization that knows it is avant-garde, are designs for writers and artists from Matanzas, in this 63rd anniversary of the UNEAC and in the process towards its X Congress.
To deepen in what is needed for the advancement of culture in Matanzas and continue with the momentum of an organization that knows it is avant-garde, are designs for writers and artists from Matanzas, in this 63rd anniversary of the UNEAC and in the process towards its X Congress.
These are definitions based on the cohesion of its membership around the priorities required at this historic moment of the nation. Hence, the unavoidable interview to Jose Manuel Espino Ortega, president of the Yumurina branch to know the route along which this advance is going, in a city of so much palpitation as the Athens of Cuba and in a province of incessant literary and artistic flow.
When asked about the expectations that are needed from the cultural vanguard to raise the standards in Matanzas, Espino Ortega emphasized:
«Actually, I believe that culture in Matanzas is struggling to rise, even in difficult times, which no one can deny, but we have to value well the way in which the pitfalls are overcome.
«We have been an indisputable wealth, from the classics to the most contemporary, in tight nexus to extend their knowledge and sensitivity to childhood, to young people and achieve the desired continuity.
«Sometimes we do not estimate enough what this province contributes to the national culture; fortunately, we have, among many others, groups such as Teatro de las Estaciones and the company Danza Espiral, faithful to an aesthetic above the commercial, of all banal sense.
«We are exalted by the profusion of the visual arts, the treasure that means the work of Manuel; enjoy the groups Los Muñequitos de Matanzas and Afrocuba, the impetuous Orquesta Faílde; maintain by dint of effort the Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Choir, the group Nuestra América, founder of the New Trova Movement, all from the valuable existence of instrumentalists, vocalists and composers of renown.
«Sometimes we are not aware of the wealth we possess; famous writers flourish in this land, many of them coined by the tireless work of the publishing houses Matanzas, Vigía and Aldabón, whose boom as a whole, may not exist in any other province; we count from the municipalities with numerous projects in the manifestation of cinema and the effectiveness of the directors of the local radio and television is undeniable.
«Without ostentations, we constitute part of the essences of the culture of this country; in these six decades of Revolution, institutions where creators of high flight work arose, they are in the museums, in the House of the Scenic Memory, in the houses of the letters and schools of art, some linked to the entities of direction, others are workers inserted in the profuse society in Matanzas.
«The UNEAC, in its Social House, promotes the diverse manifestations of art and literature; it extends its influence in the neighborhoods, in the distant towns, in the big cities; its artists and writers constitute patrimony of the people of the province».
On the main actions of the organization at present, he indicates:
«There is an increase in meetings that strengthen UNEAC, so that its creative spirit corresponds to what the country demands, added to the attention to sensitive places that allow us to know what is happening with art in those spaces.
«One of the issues refers to the culture-tourism relations, so much debated in the assemblies of affiliates, for which we propose to visit the night shows in Varadero and other cities, which entails meeting with the chains of the tourism sector and reach a consensus on the fulfillment of the cultural policy, plus assessing where recognized talents are replaced by the use of other pseudo-cultural means.
«We are also increasing our links with key groups such as the Faustino Perez provincial hospital, not only to maintain the medical treatment of our personalities, which we describe as excellent, but also to promote an official working agreement that will allow us to improve this work and also expose our art to these devoted professionals.
«The meetings of our organization with the Party and the Government in the province have been consolidated and also established better ties with the municipal direction of Culture in the city of Yumurina, a claim that was raised in all the associations during the assembly process. The purpose is to make an impact, which will imply results».
About the upcoming X Congress he pointed out:
«It will be defining in policies to be followed. We live in complex times in which we creators must be more effective, more combative in the face of mediocrity; to be opponents to the conformism that is sometimes breathed, by allowing acts that have nothing to do with the artistic vanguard or with the culture and education achieved in Cuba.
«It is vital to accompany the Hermanos Saíz Association, to summon young people more and more intensely, with a mutual impact, in the rescue of contemporaneity, which as adults we are losing over the years. That sense of closeness to the youth that renews.
«It is also essential to pay special attention to our creators, to know what their aspirations and personal needs are, and to support their projects and work as much as possible.
«In this X Congress, the maximum duty will be to represent what Cuban culture means and that destiny is in our hands, we cannot make mistakes, nor can we be comfortable or tolerant in the face of what has been badly done. We want a firm UNEAC, well planted to face this moment with dignity. These are times to unite to defend decorum and facilitate creative opportunities.
Written by María Elena Bayón.
