On the Threshold of Paradise and Present: Memory in Contemporary Cuban – American Literature

The exile leaving his or her homeland for new and unknown territory travels with much more than just luggage and the clothes on his or her back. He or she carries a weighty collection of memories. Available for the exile in times when the harmony of the past is far removed from the difficult circumstances present during the process of cultural assimilation, these memories present an opportunity for the exile to fashion for him or herself an identity that mimics the realities of life in the home left behind. In this creative endeavor, I seek to examine the powerful potential of memory as it is exercised by a collection of Cubans and Cuban-Americans in different corners of the United States. Analyzing Achy Obejas’ Memory Mambo, Cristina García’s Dreaming in Cuban, Ana Menéndez’s In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd, and Elías Miguel Muñoz’s Brand New Memory, I aim to trace the suggestive potential of memory as it is used by each of the characters in these works in an effort to reconcile their Cuban identities with the ones that are in the process of creation in the U.S. I will borrow from a collection of literature dealing with identity and exile, relevant graduate-level theses on Cuban-American literature, as well as theoretical perspectives on memory formation and nostalgia in order to trace the various ways in which memory is relied on in the process of cultural assimilation and emotional coping. Being presented in Miami, which hosts the largest concentration of Cuban immigrants, this thesis aims to present itself as a reflective tool for Cubans and Cuban-Americans who may find value in seeing their personal sentiments portrayed in literature, thus allowing for a potential reevaluation of identity. If the existing literature on my topic of analysis reveals anything, it is that the scope of my project is one that has not been inspected previously, thus making my analytical contribution a new one that will add a new interpretive set of lens through which readers of contemporary Cuban-American literature can examine the works.

On the Threshold of Paradise and Present: Memory in Contemporary Cuban‐American Literature

The exile leaving his or her homeland for new and unknown territory travels with much more than just luggage and the clothes on his or her back. He or she carries a weighty collection of memories. Available for the exile in times when the harmony of the past is far removed from the difficult circumstances present during the process of cultural assimilation, these memories present an opportunity for the exile to fashion for him or herself an identity that mimics the realities of life in the home left behind. In this creative endeavor, I seek to examine the powerful potential of memory as it is exercised by a collection of Cubans and Cuban-Americans in different corners of the United States. Analyzing Achy Obejas’ Memory Mambo, Cristina García’s Dreaming in Cuban, Ana Menéndez’s In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd, and Elías Miguel Muñoz’s Brand New Memory, I aim to trace the suggestive potential of memory as it is used by each of the characters in these works in an effort to reconcile their Cuban identities with the ones that are in the process of creation in the U.S. I will borrow from a collection of literature dealing with identity and exile, relevant graduate-level theses on Cuban-American literature, as well as theoretical perspectives on memory formation and nostalgia in order to trace the various ways in which memory is relied on in the process of cultural assimilation and emotional coping. Being presented in Miami, which hosts the largest concentration of Cuban immigrants, this thesis aims to present itself as a reflective tool for Cubans and Cuban-Americans who may find value in seeing their personal sentiments portrayed in literature, thus allowing for a potential reevaluation of identity. If the existing literature on my topic of analysis reveals anything, it is that the scope of my project is one that has not been inspected previously, thus making my analytical contribution a new one that will add a new interpretive set of lens through which readers of contemporary Cuban-American literature can examine the works.

Digitizing dissent: cyborg politics and fluid networks in contemporary Cuban activism

Communication technologies shape how political activist networks are produced and maintain themselves. In Cuba, despite ideologically and physically oppressive practices by the state, a severe lack of Internet access, and extensive government surveillance, a small network of bloggers and cyberactivists has achieved international visibility and recognition for its critiques of the Cuban government. This qualitative study examines the blogger collective known as Voces Cubanas in Havana, Cuba in 2012, advancing a new approach to the study of transnational activism and the role of technology in the construction of political narrative. Voces Cubanas is analyzed as a network of connections between human and non-human actors that produces and sustains powerful political alliances. Voces Cubanas and its allies work collectively to co-produce contentious political discourses, confronting the dominant ideologies and knowledges produced by the Cuban state. Transnational alliances, the act of translation, and a host of unexpected and improvised technologies play central roles in the production of these narratives, indicating new breed of cyborg sociopolitical action reliant upon fluid and flexible networks and the act of writing. 

MAKING THE GROUP CATALOGUE OF PERIODICALS UNIT INFORMATION DOCUMENT OF THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

We present the results of the final graduation practice called "Creating the Serials Union Catalogue of Documentary Information Units of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the National University" which consisted of creating a computerized catalog for periodicals by GENISIS program. Unit of documentary information: Faculty of Social Sciences National University: CIDCSO (Documentary Information Centre of Social Sciences), FBEH (Bibliographical School of History), MA (International Relations Specialist Library "Luis and Felipe Molina ") and CINPE (Library of the National Centre for Economic Policy on Sustainable Development).

Somatotype of elite cuban paddlers

Some physical characteristics are related to maximum sport performance, which has resulted in what has been denominated the morphological prototype.  Knowing about this concept is of great relevance for physical activity professionals.  Consequently, the purpose of this research was to give evidence as to whether the somatotypes of elite Cuban paddlers are related to international studies done in Spain (Esparza, 1993), Canada (Carter, 1999), Australia (Ackland et al, 2000), Argentina (Lentini et al, 2002), and the United States (Vaccaro et al, 2000).  A total of 30 athletes were evaluated including 9 female kayakers and 21 male canoeists and kayakers. This study shows the significant heterogeneity found in this population based on the behavior of the somatotypes when contrasting the groups.  Compared to the other reference studies, the endomorphic component proved to be the differentiating factor in this research.  The foregoing allowed us to conclude that actions should be taken to modify this component in a way that Cuban athletes are closer to the anthropometric profile exhibited by international elite teams.

Everything Appeared (Todo parecia): Contemporary Cuban Poetry on Gay and Lesbian Topics

This flyer promotes a book presentation of the book " Everything Appeared (Todo parecia) : Contemporary Cuban Poetry on Gay and Lesbian Topics" by Coeditor Jesus J. Barquet. The edited volume offers a variety of authors from the 20th Century to the present. The event will be held in Spanish on November 2, 2015 at Books & Books Coral Gables.

Cuban Espionage in the U.S.: The W.A.S.P. Network

This flyer promotes the event "Cuban Espionage in the U.S.: The Wasp Network", a panel featuring David M. Buckner, Prosecutor and Hector M. Pesquera, Former Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office. The event was held on October 15, 2015 at the C.A.M.P. 4 Justice Courtroom, Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall Room.

The Eliana Rivero Research Scholarship in Cuban Studies- Call for Applications from Graduate Students

This flyer promotes a call for applications from Graduate Students for the Eliana Rivero Research Scholarship in Cuban Studies. The scholarship provides one graduate student the opportunity to conduct research in Cuban studies- with special emphasis in the humanities- at the Cuban Research Institute. The deadline for applications is February 15, 2016.

Evolution and Permanence in Cuban Poetry- The Poetry of Lazaro Castillo

This flyer promotes the lecture "Evolution and Permanence in Cuban Poetry- The Poetry of Lazaro Castillo" by Lazaro Castillo, a leading young poet in Cuba. His texts are characterized by his interest in daily life, a collection of itinerant anecdotes, and the amorous vocation that precedes pain. This lecture is cosponsored by the Department of Modern Languages and was conducted in Spanish. It was held on November 20,2015 at FIU Modesto A. Maidique Campus, CBC254.

Mapping Memories: Cuban Exiles Navigate Home

This flyer promotes the lecture "Mapping Memories: Cuban Exiles Navigate Home" by Patricia L. Price, the Dean of Academic Affairs at Stella & Charles Guttman Community College, City University of New York, Manhattan. This lecture was held on November 16, 2015 at Modesto M. Maidique Campus, Green Library 220.

Cuban Miami: Geography of a Crossroad-City of the Americas

This flyer promotes a book presentation by author Violaine Jolivet, whose book Miami la Cubaine is derived from her doctoral thesis defended at the Sorbonne in 2010. The presentation was held at Book & Book in Coral Gables, FL on November 20, 2015.

Teaching Music to Cuban Children

This flyer promotes a lecture by Eurydice Losada called "Teaching Music to Cuban Children", which discusses the results of research on the development of musical skills among Cuban children from 8 to 11 years old. Losada is a Cuban pianist, choir director and academic. This lecture was held in Spanish at the FIU Modesto A. Maidique Campus, DM 445 on September 29,2015.

Cuban Literature in Exile

This flyer promotes a lecture by Zoe Valdes on recent literary trends, works, and authors of Cuban origin living outside the island. Valdes was born in Havana, Cuba and is the authors of 32 novels. This lecture was conducted in Spanish, held on October 28, 2015 at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Graham Center, Room 140.

"Jose Martí: Resisting Melancholia for the Image of the Cuban Hero", Lecture by Emilio Bejel

This flyer promotes the event ""Jose Martí: Resisting Melancholia for the Image of the Cuban Hero", Lecture by Emilio Bejel", cosponsored by the Department of Modern Languages at FIU.