The Social Life of Literature in Revolutionary Cuba

The Social Life of Literature in Revolutionary Cuba

Par Kumaraswami The Social Life of Literature in Revolutionary Cuba Narrative, Identity, and Well-being

Par Kumaraswami University of Reading Reading, United Kingdom ISBN 978-1-137-56963-9 ISBN 978-1-137-55940-1 (ebook) DOI 10.1057/978-1-137-55940-1 Library of Congress Control Number: 2016948398 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Cover illustration: imagebroker / Alamy Stock Photo Printed on acid-free paper This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Nature America Inc. New York

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many people without whom this book, which has been a while in the making, might not have been possible. Firstly, former colleagues at Heriot-Watt University and the University of Manchester who always supported and enabled my absences for fieldwork in Cuba with good grace and solidarity, and who even made time to ask about the research itself: Raquel de Pedro, Pedro La Porte, Maggie Sargeant, and Chris Tinker; Noelia Alcarazo, Gordon Brotherston, Susana Lorenzo, Hilary Owen, Chris Perriam, Lúcia Sá and James Scorer. Thanks also to the Leverhulme Trust (not least, their reviewers) for having twice put their faith in me to conduct imaginative research in Cuba and to communicate another perspective on an often-misunderstood society. Thanks also to the postgraduate students who have inspired, challenged, and educated me along the way: Nicola Astudillo-Jones, Tamara Inés de Antón, Emma Jackson, Miranda Lickert, and Susan Oman. I know that each of you will find your place. More recently, this acknowledgment reflects the breath of fresh air provided by my colleagues at the University of Reading, who have given me the opportunity to complete this manuscript as I start a new phase of my career, especially David Carter, Alison Donnell, Marta Simó-Comas, and Julia Waters. To friends and colleagues who have taught me so much in return for so little. In Cuba: Sonia Almaguer Darna, Pedro Aragonés, Xiomara García Cao, Ana Curbeira, Fernando León Jacomino, Fernando Martínez Heredia, Myriam Mesa, Esther Pérez, and Hilda Torres. In the UK and elsewhere: Kepa Artaraz, Jackie Cannon, Sally Gainsbury, and Ann McFall. Thanks also to those who have allowed this book to happen by always v

vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS being on hand with their love, intelligence, friendship, humor, and unconditional support: Saira Khan, Raúl Marchena Magadán, Becky Ogden, Patrick O Shea, Colin Swinney, Núria Triana Toribio, the Davenport family, and the Kumaraswami family. Finally, to my own infinite sources of well-being. Without you (and Cuba and Manchester City), life would be a much paler imitation: Anjali Davidson, Oscar Davidson, and Tony Kapcia. You each know what you mean to me.

CONTENTS 1 Introduction: The Social Life of Literature in Contemporary Cuba: Negotiating Identity, Attaining Well-Being, and Surviving Social Change 1 2 Culture, Identity, and Well-Being: Reviewing the Possibilities 19 3 Social Change, Cultural Policy, and the Functions of Literature: Understanding Culture and Revolution in Cuba, 1959 1989 47 4 La cultura es lo primero que hay que salvar : Writers, Literature, and Well-Being in the Período Especial, 1990 2000 91 5 La cosa esta que vino después : Reading Testimonial Literature, Well-Being, and Narrative During the Batalla de Ideas 123 6 Subjective Well-Being and Culture as Everyday Practice in Contemporary Cuba, 2007 2012 161 vii

viii CONTENTS 7 Conclusion: The Promise of Well-Being Through Culture in Contemporary Cuba: Morality, Culture, and the Market 187 Bibliography 201 Index 219

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS USED AHS Asociación Hermanos Saíz ALBA Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América CDR Comité de Defensa de la Revolución CNC Consejo Nacional de Cultura CUC Cuban convertible peso DCC Dirección de Cultura Comunitaria FAC Fábrica de Arte Cubano FAR Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias FILH Feria Internacional del Libro de La Habana ICAIC Instituto Cubano de Artes e Industrias Cinematográficas ICL Instituto Cubano del Libro ICRT Instituto Cubano de Radio y Televisión INDER Instituto Nacional de Deportes, Educación Física y Recreación MN Moneda nacional (Cuban peso, also known as CUP) PCC Partido Comunista de Cuba (post-1965) PSP Partido Socialista Popular (communist party 1944 1961) SWB Subjective Well-being UJC Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas UMAP Unidad Militar de Ayuda a la Producción UNEAC Unión Nacional de Artistas y Escritores de Cuba ix