Pribek

There was a big, open-air concert in Havana yesterday featuring Colombian singer Juanes…

Out of the gate, the NY Times focused on some who felt that attendance was a show of support for the Cuban Government…

Hundreds of thousands of Cubans attended an open-air “peace concert” in Havana on Sunday headlined by the Colombian rock star Juanes, an event criticized by some Cuban-Americans who said the performers were lending support to the island’s Communist government simply by showing up….

…The excitement did not extend to some across the Straits of Florida, where Juanes had endured death threats, CD-smashing protests and boycotts since announcing his plan for the concert in Havana.

The police in Key Biscayne, Fla., said they were monitoring the homes of both the singer and his manager.

Meanwhile, Cuban blogger, Yoani Sánchez said this…

Tomorrow will dawn as every Monday. The convertible peso will continue its ascent, Adolfo and his colleagues will have another day behind bars in the Canaleta prison, my son will hear at school that socialism is the only option for the country and at the airports we will continue to ask permission to leave the Island. The Juanes concert will not have significantly changed our lives, but nor did I go to the Plaza with this illusion. It would be unfair to demand of the young Colombian singer that he propel those changes that we ourselves have not managed to make, despite wanting them so much.

I was at the esplanade to check out how different the same space can be when it accommodates crowds organized from above, versus when it shelters a group of people dancing, singing and interacting without the involvement of politics. It was a rare experience to be there, without shouting slogans and without having to applaud mechanically when the tone of the speech marked that it was the time to cheer. Clearly some elements resembled those who march each May first, especially the proportion of plainclothes police in the audience.

I like living in the Ozarks, even on a cloudy day.

And, for right now at least, the little hillside where the Winnebago sits, suits me fine.

One thing was troubling me though. I have a little Grundig Traveller VII shortwave radio; great little device. One thing I like to do is listen to broadcasts from around the world late at night. My favorite is Radio Havana. I was very disappointed to find that the Grundig picks up absolutely no shortwave signal from this location; none. And, if there ever was a time to listen to Radio Havana it would be right now.

I found something even better-Generation Y. It is the website of Yoani Sánchez.

Generatión Y is a Blog inspired by people like me, with names that start or contain a “Y”. Born in the Cuba of the 70s and the 80s, marked by the “schools to the countryside”, the Russian cartoons, the illegal exits and the frustration. So, an invitation goes especially to Yanisleidi, Yoandri, Yusimí, Yuniesky and others that drag their Ys, to read me and write back.

Yoani resides in Havana and frankly, I’m not sure how she is pulling this off without State intervention. It offers a very honest and poignant look into life in Cuba.

Radio Havana has some of the best bumper music I’ve ever heard and the announcers with the faux American accents are a kick when they cheerfully spew propaganda. But, Generation Y will truly open your eyes.