Cuba: after a night of protests, 200 young artists make themselves heard by the state
Protesters gathered in front of the Cuban Ministry of Culture on November 27, 2020. YAMIL LAGE AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
More than 200 young Cubans gathered this Friday, November 27 in front of the Ministry of Culture and managed to be heard and to establish dialogue with the State.
This movement comes the day after the expulsion by the authorities of a group of artists on hunger strike.
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With our correspondent in Havana,
Domitille Piron
As said by a young director who has joined nearly two hundred artists and creators in front of the Ministry of Culture, the spark that blew up the movement is
the expulsion on the evening of November 26 by force of members of the San movement. Isidro
on hunger strike to demand the release of one of their own, sentenced to six months in prison for contempt.
But the complaints are broader.
After several hours in front of the ministry, around thirty representatives of the independent cultural sector were received by the vice-minister and managed to establish a dialogue with the authorities.
"
The Ministry of Culture can no longer say that it does not know the situation of independent art in Cuba,"
says artist Tania Bruguera.
He can no longer say that he does not know the harassment, persecution and repression that exists against independent art in Cuba.
They can't say they don't know anymore.
"
A historic day
Inside, the exchange lasted more than four hours.
Outside, hundreds of young people gathered in peace, sitting in the street, singing, discussing and applauding every fifteen minutes to make themselves heard inside.
In the surrounding streets, the police force was reinforced and the police used tear gas against those who tried to join the movement in front of the ministry.
Most of these young people were demonstrating for the first time.
On the square then appeared the thirty artists welcomed as heroes, including the playwright Yunior Garcia.
“
What happened today is historic in our country!
he exclaimed.
We believe we can be optimistic because we are now entering a new dialogue where differences will be respected.
A day and a night of protests, under tension, which ends in a patriotic spirit with the national anthem.
► To read also: Cuba: opponents expelled from the house where they had been on hunger strike for 10 days
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