The Standpoint

CUBAN REVOLUTION COMPLETES 50: DU CELEBRATES

by

Kalpana Gupta

The department of Germanic and Romance Studies, University of Delhi and Left Word Books celebrated the 50 years of the Cuban revolution on 11th and 12th November of this year. The Lecture Hall of India International Centre witnessed this event which was inaugurated by H.E Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos– the Cuba’s Ambassador to India. Professor Aijaz Ahmad conducted a keynote address on “Against the Grain of our Times”. The Marxist Literary Theorist, Shri Ahmad, discussed the survival of Cuban Revolution practically in a state of siege for 50 years. The keynote address was followed by five contemporary Cuban films- “Dancing chachacha”, “The silly Age”, “Madrigal”, “Mauricio’s Diary” and “Broken Gods”. As a part of the Film Fest, the Cuban films concluded the events of Day 1.

On November 12th, H.E Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos chaired the discussion meet where Zaida del Rio talked about “The Bridge of Art: Cuba and India” along-with a talk by Sonya Surbhi Gupta. The academician who spoke about “The Cuban Revolutionary Cultural project” pointed out that Cuban revolutionary art is deeply associated with the ideas of Cuban Hero- Jose Marti. She further emphasised that the decision of the government of Fidel Castro was to conduct the nation-wide illiteracy camp. Ashwani Kumar added a Comparative perspective of “Voices of Cuban Poets” and “The Dalit Poets”.

Followed by a refreshing tea break, the Second session included the thoughts on Cuban Cinema by Samik Bandyopadhyay. The film critic focused on the film “Memorias Del Subdesarrollo” where the post-revolutionary politics have been critiqued. Ruchika Singh, however, discussed “The Art of Wifreds Lam” followed by Alan Meller who talked about “Muralism in the time of Neoliberalism”.

Vibha Maurya talked about the “Cuban Art within the Revolution” in the third Session of the event. She added that “despite difficult times, the artisits found myriad ways to express themselves”. The two-day event came to an end with Surender Negi’s lines on “The Lighthouse of Revolution” and Vijaya Venkataraman’s “Singing to the Revolution”. Numerous teachers and students were seen hooked to the speeches by various well-known personalities. After leaving the Lecture Hall, students and teachers were found exploring the new books on Cuban revolution on display. Next, was a display of several thought provoking paintings at the lecture hall.

With a post tea session, the event concluded itself on the note of harmony and peace.