Ready for a whole new cha-cha-cha.
we won’t be just ranting about ‘young people and climate change in Cuba’. We are telling a story of Cuba. But still – this is a big deal. Because Cuba is different, is misunderstood, is polarized, is polarizing.
Cultural Impressions
Cuba has survived many waves of cultural colonization. From American-inspired baseball and old Chevrolets, to the Soviet designed apartment complexes. These hallmark cultural pieces make up Cuba’s image to the world – but new waves are arriving every day.
More than just a small garden
When Elisabeth and Rolando decided to clear a garbage dump right next to the Bay of Cojímar, and start a family farm on the site, their friends, neighbours and the local authorities all thought that they were bananas. El Cachón is now one of the biggest environmental community projects in Cojímar (East Havana).
Everything in nature has a role, even when it seems ‘bad’
The dominant view is that the marabou prevents people from using these idle lands and making them cultivable. Ironically enough, the “weed” has actually helped to rejuvenate the land and biodiversity.
Normalized Solidarity
So I am sitting here thinking I am having a sort of epiphany – solidarity can’t be a hobby. I need to make it a lifestyle.
Santa Clara Botanical Garden: Showcasing plant species endemic to Cuba
the national flower of Cuba, the Mariposa Blanca or White Ginger Lily, isn’t endemic to Cuba but originates from Asia.
Everything is political
The first time I saw a billboard saying ‘everything within socialism, nothing outside of socialism’ I thought it was pretty disturbing. Can you imagine a sign in Germany, Italy, England or Canada that says ‘everything within Capitalism, nothing outside of it’’?
Nature Inspired Wisdom
“I am like an ant, I am like a bird. I am neither unique nor better or more valuable than any other part of nature. We are all important.”
SONGS THAT REPRESENT CUBAN YOUTH!
Recrear sat down with 8 Cuban youth leaders and discussed the power and importance of music for them. Each participant chose one song and explained to us why they believe it represents Cuban youth. Here is what they told us
Transforming a community garbage dump into something extraordinary!
Maria Silvia and her family have transformed a community garbage dump in Havana into a a piece of extremely fertile land where a variety of native trees and shrubs now grow freely and provide compost for future generations of plants.
