“Bridges to Cuba,” a campuswide conference coinciding with the release of the second part of a special Michigan Quarterly Review (MQR) on Cuba, will be held Friday–Saturday (Nov. 4–5).
About 25 Cuban and Cuban-American scholars, writers and artists, many of whom are featured in MQR’s Bridges to Cuba special issue, will present readings of their works and discuss a range of topics related to Cuba.
The conference will be held 1–6 p.m. Nov. 4 and noon–6 p.m. Nov. 5 in Room 2553, LS&A Building. A reception will take place at the Shaman Drum Bookshop at 6 p.m. Nov. 4.
Published by the U-M, MQR’s Bridges to Cuba features political and cultural essays, personal narratives, fiction, poetry and artwork by Cubans and Cuban-Americans sharing their visions of Cuba and their lives.
“In the first number of this special issue on Cuba, we sought to build bridges between the island and its emigrants,” says Ruth Behar, associate professor of anthropology and of women’s studies and co-editor of the special double edition. “Our perspective was largely that of the second generation—on this side, we heard from the children of exiles; on the island side, we heard from the children of those who stayed.
“In this second number, we extend the notion of the bridge beyond the relationship between Cuba and its post-revolutionary diaspora. The complex hybridness of Cuban culture is explored in greater depth and in a variety of exciting and original bridgings.”
In addition to Behar, other U-M scholars who contributed to this special edition include Robert Chrisman, lecturer in English and Afroamerican and African studies; Juan E. Leon, assistant professor of English; Nancy Raquel Mirabel, doctoral student in history; Silvia Pedraza, associate professor of sociology and of American culture; and Alan Wald, professor of English and of American culture.
Among others whose works are included in the second issue are Miguel Barnet, Carlota Caulfield, Maria Elena Cruz Varela, Yanai Manzor, Elena M. Martinez, Elias Miguel Munoz, Achy Obejas, Senel Paz, Gustavo Perez Firmat, Reina Maria Rodriguez, Virgil Suarez, Carmelita Tropicana and Roberto Valero.
Part 2 of Bridges to Cuba is available in local bookstores and in the MQR office in Room 3032, Rackham Building. For information, call 764-9265.
