Dear Friends,
It was this week, five years ago, that we celebrated a historic announcement from two presidents who were willing to break from the narrative of the past and engage with one another in order to imagine a new future. Respectful dialogue brought about great change in the bilateral relationship, and that change led to benefits for Americans and Cubans alike. Having experienced the fruits of engagement, the reversal — under the current U.S. administration — back to policies of isolation, is all the more painful.
Read CDA’s full statement on the anniversary of the announcement of the U.S.’s intent to normalize relations with Cuba.
Despite the reversal and its associated challenges, there are still many reasons for hope. This year, CDA celebrated the many things that bring the people of Cuba and the U.S. together! We danced with Cuba’s hit funk bank, Cimafunk in the halls of Congress; sang along with Latin Grammy-Award winning Aymée Nuviola at our Spring celebration; and showcased the work and spirit of Cuba’s entrepreneurs and designers from the Havana-based clothing and design shop, Clandestina. We are thrilled to see how these and other Cuban artists, musicians, and designers continue to share their art with the world and continue to gain international recognition. From Aymée Nuviola’s 2020 GRAMMY nomination, to Cimafunk’s appearance on NPR’s “25 Best Songs of 2019” list, to Clandestina’s first U.S. pop-up shop, cultural exchange continues on!
This week, in Cuba news…
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