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FROM THE DIRECTOR This past year has been extremely rewarding. The Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies (ICCAS) has received national and international recognition as a major center for the dissemination of Cuban history as well as contemporary information on the island. Increasingly, the media, government and business communities have turned to our staff for information and analysis of events in Cuba. The Cuba Transition Project (CTP) which started in 2002 with a $1 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development was renewed with a similar grant in 2004. I am pleased to report that USAID has recently awarded the project an additional $1 million grant for the next two years. I am grateful to USAID officials, the Hon. Adolfo Franco, Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Dr. David Mutchler, Sr. Advisor on Cuba, for their continuous support. The CTP studies are receiving significant favorable attention and the various databases are being increasingly used and consulted. In particular our FOCUS reports have been cited repeatedly by the media in stories about the island. The studies produced by the CTP have been translated into Spanish and disseminated not only in the U.S., Europe and Latin America, but more importantly in Cuba. This effort will be continued and expanded during the next two year. Casa Bacardi, ICCAS’ interactive cultural center, is continuously being visited by numerous organizations and educational groups. Visitors from the community enjoy films, art and photo exhibits, as well as the music pavilion where over 2,000 Cuban songs have been digitalized and are available for listening in specially equipped computer stations. Casa Bacardi has also hosted a number of lectures and seminars described in the following pages. I am grateful for the financial support of the Bacardi Family Foundation and Bacardi, U.S.A., which has made a $300,000 commitment to support the programs and activities of the Institute and Casa Bacardi. I appreciate their continuous help and friendship. I am particularly grateful to the many donors that are pledging their support for the Institute during the current University fund-raising campaign. The continuous encouragement and backing of University administrators, especially President Donna E. Shalala and Executive Vice President and Provost Luis Glaser, is greatly appreciated. Last, but not least, I want to thank the ICCAS and CTP staff for their dedication loyalty and hard work. Without them we couldn't have achieved what is described in this report. Jaime
Suchlicki INTRODUCTION
PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVES The objectives
of ICCAS are to preserve, teach, and disseminate the history and culture
of Cuba; provide research and information about contemporary Cuba,
U.S.-Cuba relations, and Cuban-Americans; increase awareness and appreciation
of Cuba nationally and internationally; and to prepare for change
in the island. Casa Bacardi,
funded by a grant from the Bacardi Family Foundation, is a state-of-the-art
interactive Cuban Cultural Center. It houses the Olga and Carlos Saladrigas
exhibition hall for art and other displays, a cinema for regular screenings
of films and documentaries about the island, and a conference center.
It also has three pavilions: a music pavilion with computerized stations
where students and visitors can listen to a century of Cuban music
and humor; an information pavilion with computer terminals with access
to Cuba On-Line, a comprehensive archive of Cuban history and contemporary
information; and the products pavilion, displaying traditional Cuban
products with three televisions that present short videos on rum,
sugar, coffee, and tobacco. Casa Bacardi opened on May 20, 2002. Information
on events and activities can be viewed on-line through Casa Bacardi’s
web site: http://casabacardi.iccas.miami.edu EXHIBITS Casa Bacardi hosts special art and photo exhibits throughout the year. From January through April of 2004 the Institute for Cuban and Cuban American-Studies exhibited “Raices: Afro-Cuban Heritage and Life,” a collection of paintings
The following South Florida cultural groups and primary and secondary schools participated in the educational program during the year:
The following college level institutions participated in this program this year:
In existence for three years now, the Cuba Transition Project (CTP) studies and makes recommendations for the reconstruction of Cuba once the post-Castro transition begins in earnest. Sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the CTP has prepared 27 studies researching topics that cover a wide breadth of transition issues such as the role of the judiciary, recommendations for dealing with confiscated properties, a framework to combat corruption, recommendations for the implementation of the rule of law, economic and financial institutions to support a market economy, studies on relevant political transitions from both communist and fascist governments, as well as many others. Studies are available in English and Spanish. Spanish translations are being sent to Cuba as is possible. CTP publishes original research, with practical alternative recommendations on various aspects of the transition process, commissioned for the CTP by ICCAS Staff and U.S. and foreign scholars with expertise on Cuba. In addition to the studies, the CTP develops and maintains several Internet accessible databases:
The CTP also produces the following electronic publications:
All CTP publications are free and available to the public. The web site can be located at: http://ctp.iccas.miami.edu
ACADEMIC SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES “U.S./Cuba Seminar.” On October 4, 2003, ICCAS hosted a daylong seminar on U.S.-Cuba relations held at the Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel. On October 31, 2003 ICCAS hosted the “Conferencia anual del Colegio de Economistas de Cuba: La Transición en Cuba.” On January 16th 2004 the CTP hosted a seminar in Washington DC at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The Seminar “Humanitarian Aid for a Democratic Transition in Cuba” focused on public health and food security issues. In collaboration with the Association for the Study of the Cuban Economy (ASCE), ICCAS held a three-day conference titled “Cuba: Ten Years After the Announcement of Economic Reforms” at the Wyndham Grand Bay Hotel, Miami, Florida, on August 7-9, 2004.
This year ICCAS offered three non-credit courses to members of the South Florida community and University of Miami students. As part of Hispanic Heritage Month ICCAS presented “An Evening of Cuban Cuisine with Chef Pepin.” In July and October journalist and author Carlos Alberto Montaner taught a course on, “Historia de Cuba en una Lección,” an overview of Cuba’s history from its native roots through the Cuban Revolution in 2004.
“Khrushchev and Castro: Two That Almost Destroyed the World.” A luncheon/discussion about the Missile Crisis with guests Timothy J. Naftali, Director of the Presidential Recordings Project at the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia and co-author of “One Hell of a Gamble, The Secret History of the Cuban Missile Crisis,” and Brian Latell, Director of the Caribbean Project, the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. “Business
Opportunities and Challenges in a Post-Castro Cuba.”
A luncheon/discussion with guests Susan Kaufman Purcell, Vice President
of the Americas Society; Antonio Jorge, Professor of Political Economy
and International Relations at Florida International University and
Senior Research Scholar at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American
Studies; and Juan Tamayo, “The
Challenges Facing U.S. Immigration Policies.” A luncheon/discussion
with guest speaker Eduardo Aguirre, Director of the “The
U.S. Agency for International Development and Cuba” a
luncheon/discussion with the Hon. Andrew S. Natsios, Administrator, “The Ambassadors in Conference: U.S. and Cuba.” A luncheon/seminar with Dennis K. Hays, former U.S. Ambassador to Suriname; Luis Lauredo, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States; Manuel Rocha, former U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia; and Jeane Kirkpatrick, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
“Should the U.S. Embargo of Cuba Be Changed?” A panel discussion with Jaime Suchlicki, Director of ICCAS and Emilio Bacardi Moreau Professor of History and International Studies; Ignacio Sanchez Esq., Partner at Piper Rudnick, LLP, and Director of the Cuba Liberty Council; Maura Barrios, Assistant Director of the University of South Florida’s Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies Program; and Antonio R. Zamora, Esq. Latin American Counsel of Hughes Hubbard and Reed LLP, Founder/President of US/Cuba Forum Inc. “Reporteros sin Fronteras: La libertad de expresión y la represión en Cuba.” A panel event honoring the work of the French free press advocacy group Reporteros sin Fronteras (RSF) hosted by ICCAS at Casa Bacardi. The panel included Robert Menard, General Secretary of RSF; William Navarrete, Director of the Association for the Third Cuban Republic (ATReC); Olga Nodarse, Director of ATReC; and Frank Calzón, Executive Director of the Center for a Free Cuba; and Ramón Colás, founder of the Bibliotecas Independientes in Cuba. “Understanding
the Social and Political Value System of Cubans on the Island.”
A colloquium presenting the results of a research project undertaken
by Andy Gomez, Eugenio E. Rothe, Hector Castillos Matos, Juan Clark,
Ramon Colas, John Lewis to examine the social structure of Cubans living
on the island today and better prepare for transition. At this event,
Casa Bacardi was proud to announce the naming of the “Olga and
Carlos Saladrigas Conference and Exhibit Hall.” “El Problema Racial en Cuba.” A lecture on racial and ethnic relations and prejudice in contemporary Cuba presented by Juan Antonio Alvarado author of “Atlas Etnografíco de Cuba;” and Ramón Colás, Founder and Director of the Bibliotecas Independientes de Cuba. “The Future of Cuba and U.S.-Latin American Relations After Iraq.” A lecture by the Hon. Jorge Castañeda the former Mexican Foreign Minister in the Fox administration. “Homenaje a Luis Aguilar León.” Honoring the writings of Professor Luis Aguilar León presented by the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies, the John J. Koubek Memorial Center, and the PEN Club of Cuban Writers in Exile. “Lecturas
sin Censura.” A lecture given by founder of the Bibliotecas
Independientes de Cuba, Ramón Colás with presentations
by Jorge Luís Morejón, Roberto Lozano, and Salvador Blanco.
Panel Discussion to honor Roberto de Miranda, President of the Association of Independent Teachers in Cuba, for his civic leadership. While in prison he received the Pedro Luis Boitel Freedom Award for his nonviolent resistance to the Cuban regime. Eduardo Zayas-Bazán, President of NACAE, Laida Carro, President of the Coalition of Cuban-American Women, Janisset Rivero, Executive Director of the Cuban Democratic Directory, José M. Gonzalez-Llorente, Editor of Biblioteca de la Libertad and Ángel Cuadra, President of Miami’s Pen Club and ex-political prisoner led the program. “Who Could End the Embargo?” lecture by Josep M. Colomer, Research Professor in Political Science at the Higher Council of Scientific Research in Barcelona, Spain and the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics, in Mexico.
“Tierra Elegida,” a novel by Cuban writer José M. González-Llorente was presented by literature and art critic Armando Álvarez Bravo. “Los Culpables,” a critical response to the book “Los Disidentes,” which justified the imprisonment of Cuban oppositionists and had been published by the Cuban Government, presented by Los Culpables’ two authors, Juan F. Benemelis and Frank Hernández-Trujillo. “Cuba 1898-1915 Viaje a Través de Postales: El Nacimiento de una Nación,” a collection of postcards from the first decades of the Cuban Republic by Eloy Cepero, was presented by architect and Florida International University Professor Nicolás Quintana; Rev. Marco Antonio Ramos, Professor of History at the Center for Theological Studies of South Florida; and geographer Antonio Magaz García. “On Cuba,” a compilation of Professor and Economist Antonio Jorge’s major articles was presented at Casa Bacardi by ICCAS’ Director, Professor Jaime Suchlicki. “Voces Tras las Rejas: Testimonios del presidio político actual en Cuba.” A collection of stories and testimonials from Cuban political prisoners and their families attesting to their plight. The book was presented at Casa Bacardi by Frank Calzón, President of the Center for a Free Cuba; Janisset Rivero, from the Directorio Democrático Cubano; Laida Carro of the Coalición de Mujeres Cubano-Americanas; Reinaldo Sánchez, Literature Professor Emeritus from Florida International University, and José M. González-Llorente, Director of Biblioteca de la Libertad.
“UNICO: A Concert of Cuban and Israeli Music,” presented by the Consulate General of Israel, ICCAS, the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies, and the Florida-Israel Cultural Institute. A cross-cultural mix, the event featured performances from the critically acclaimed Cuban singer Delia Díaz de Villegas, noted Cuban pianist Lázaro Horta, and the Israeli jazz quintet Seeds of Sun. “An Evening of Cuban Music.” ICCAS hosted a concert at Casa Bacardi of acclaimed Cuban singer Delia Díaz de Villegas. “Contraste: A Night of Cuban Music and Humor.” At Casa Bacardi, featuring Gerardo Aguillón, Cuban violinist member of the “Florida Chamber Orchestra”; Ramsés Colon, bass drum player of the Grammy Award winning record “Lagrimas Negras;” Jose Angel Navarro guitarist and author. The event also featured writer and comedian, el Pible.
Casa Bacardi and el Directorio Democrático Cubano presented the documentary La Primavera de Cuba a film produced by the Czech organization, People in Need. The film, shot clandestinely, compiles interviews and testimonies from Cuban activists and the families of political prisoners shortly after the mass crack down in March 2003. “If You Only Understood”. A film by Rolando Díaz was presented at Casa Bacardi. The film by Rafael Lima, “Presidio – The Trip Back” which premiered last year at ICCAS was honored this year with two Telly awards for Best Cultural Program and Best Documentary Program. It was also screened at the prestigious Amnesty International Film Festival in Los Angeles, California. The film was produced by ICCAS.
“Florida’s Hispanic Heritage: Celebrating Five Centuries of History, Culture, and Prosperity.” An event hosted by ICCAS and Florida governor Jeb Bush honoring Horacio Aguirre of the Diario de la Americas on the fiftieth anniversary of the newspaper’s publication. “Miss Cuban-American.” Casa Bacardi hosted a series of lectures for the Miss-Cuban-American Beauty Pageant contestants on Cuba and its history. “Winter Cuba Student Leadership Conference.” The Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies and El Directorio Democratico Cubano hosted a conference for young Cuban leaders. In May a group of cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point spent two weeks in Miami learning about Cuban history and culture and participating in ICCAS programs. “Cuban Book Fair.” On October 10th, ICCAS hosted a book fair that featured noted authors and local bookstore retailers and distributors offering Cuban themed books.
ICCAS is proud to announce that on June 1, 2004 signed an agreement for academic exchange and cooperation with the Graduate School of International Studies of Aichi Prefectural University in Japan. The agreement includes cooperation on projects and research and the exchange of students. Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies University of Miami |
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