Upon arrival at Havana International Airport, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met by your Cuban national guide and driver and transported to your hotel. At 5 pm, we will meet at the hotel for welcome and introductions. At 6 pm, we will be joined by three generations of Cubans: David González, who grew up in the 1960s and participated in the literacy campaign, and Karen and Alejandro Valdez, daughter and grandson of Juan Valdez Paz, who traditionally participated in this opening panel but sadly passed away in 2021. Together, our speakers will offer distinct generational perspectives on the revolution and Cuba today. Dinner will follow at Al Carbón. Check-in at this hotel begins at 3 pm. If your flight arrives earlier, you are welcome to store luggage with the concierge until check-in time.
This morning is a presentation by Jaime Rodríguez, one of the three original architects involved in the City Historian's Office initiative to restore Old Havana. Jaime worked on the project until his retirement a few years ago and designed some of its most unique structures. He will then lead us on a walking tour of this historical district. Lunch will be at the paladar Los Mercaderes. This afternoon, meet for a conference with sociologist Mayra Espina, whose decades-long work has focused on questions of equality and inequality in Cuba. You will have the evening on your own.
Go to Fresa y Chocolate Cinema for a viewing of the film "Suite Havana," followed by a discussion with filmmaker Fernando Pérez, certainly one of Cuba's best known and most critically acclaimed directors. In the afternoon, enjoy lunch at San Cristóbal, and then take a walking tour of Central Havana with artist Eduardo Hernández who lives and works in the barrio. In the evening, we will have drinks and pizza at the home of writer and literary critic Maggie Mateo, awarded the National Prize in Literature in 2016, and Daisy Rubeira, a black feminist writer and historian, author of "Reyita: the life of a Black Cuban Woman in the Twentieth Century," an oral history of her mother and a member of the MAGIN women's collective.
Late this morning, visit Casa Fuster, the community development project that artist José Fuster and his neighbors have constructed in Havana's Jaimanitas neighborhood, an old fishing village. Tour the neighborhood with David González, whom we met on the first night and who has worked with the project for 15 years. Have lunch at the Casa with Fuster and David and get ready for an afternoon at the beach. We will be taken to Santa María del Mar for some time in the sun, sand, and beautiful seas. Return to Havana and enjoy some free time tonight.
This morning, set out on a guided tour of the Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum) with photographer and graphic artist Eduardo Hernández, focusing on visual art and cultural policy since the Revolution. Lunch will be at Chef Iván. This afternoon, Roberto Zurbano will lead us on a walking tour titled "The Black Presence in Havana; Past and Present."
This morning, board a ferry and ride to the municipality of Regla. We will visit the Church of the Virgin of Regla represented by the black Madonna. This virgin is venerated in the Catholic faith and associated in the Santería religion with Yemayá, the orisha of the ocean. We then meet singer Janet Valdés and pianist Alejandro Meroño, who will give a mini-recital (they perform Afro-Jazz, old trova and bolero) in their home. They will also give you a brief background about their religion (they are both initiated in Santería), their community (town of Regla), and of course their music. Janet speaks fluent English and has a beautiful voice. Alejandro is a pianist and composer, and is also the winner of Cubadisco 2020, one of Cuba's most important music awards. They've both tutored a few students from Hampshire College. Together they both have been involved in projects to revitalize Cuban music. After our visit in Regla, we will enjoy lunch at Le Petit restaurant. In the afternoon, meet with Marilyn Solaya for a showing of her film, "Vestido de Novia." The evening is free. Those who wish can attend a performance at the Asociación Yoruba from 6 to 8 pm by Obiní Batá, a trailblazing group of Afro-Cuban female drummers who play the Batá drums.
Meet with writer Leonardo Padura and Maggie Mateo at Maggie's house. Lunch will be at Paladar La Guarida, the setting for the Oscar-nominated film, Strawberry and Chocolate. In the evening, return to the home of Maggie Mateo for a dinner and discussion with a group of "clandestinas," women who, when they were teenagers in the 1950s, fought in the underground movement in Havana to bring down the Batista dictatorship. There is an optional late-night drag show this evening at 11 pm, with a small transportation and entrance fee.
This morning, visit Fernando Funes' farm, Finca Marta, perhaps the most advanced experiment in agriculture on the island. Funes will take you on a tour of the finca and talk about its origins, how it operates in the community, and his ideas about the possible future for agriculture on the island. Have lunch at the finca with Funes. Free time after lunch. Final meal at Santy Pescador near the Jaimanitas River. **During your free time throughout the week, there will be opportunities to see dance performances, attend concerts, and - if the Havana team, the Industriales, makes it to the playoffs - go to a baseball game. We will keep you apprised of events.
This morning, you will be taken to the Havana International Airport for your flight(s) home. *Check out time is 11am.