Guillén in the Mirror of Africa

While announcing the call, Nicolás Hernández Guillén, president of the Nicolás Guillén Foundation explained the event will commemorate the 130th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Cuba and the 50th anniversary of the publication of the novel testimony Biografía de un cimarrón, by Miguel Barnet.

The encounter will be celebrated under the motto Qué enigma entre las aguas, verse by Guillén from the poem El apellido, in which can be observed, as professor and essayist Denia García Ronda has explained, the will to vindicate the races-mix character of our national identity: “This is not a theoretical and aseptic vindication—she underlined—is not just a cry for the omitted ancestors. It is also a denunciation and a declaration of proud and dignity for their dignity on the African part”.

Regarding the celebration for the 50 years of the first edition of Biografía de un cimarrón, Hernández Guillén highlighted how close his grandfather Nicolás was to Barnet and the importance of that foundational text in favor of a literature of recovery of the historic memory.

The colloquium’s communications and debates will be developed based on three thematic axes: the reflection of the African heritage in Guillén’s work and thinking, the history and cultural evolution of the African peoples and the contributions of the forced diaspora of that continent’s sons. 

Intellectuals from Brazil, Venezuela, United States and Italy have confirmed their attendance. Among Cuban lecturers will be Doctors María del Carmen Barcia and Ramón Sánchez Porro and poet and researcher Waldo Leyva.

The artistic program will be the performances of the Schola Cantorum Coralina, directed by Maestra Alina Orraca, the laureate piano player Jorge Luis Prats and one of the most dynamic musicians of the Cuban contemporary scenario, José Luis Cortés, who will present a show dedicated to the rumba.

Translation: Liana Fleitas (Cubarte)