Anyone can see them. They are here to be contemplated and dreamed of, like parts of a great amulet. An amulet that is a tree, The tree of life, work of the Mexican artisan José Alfonso Soteno.
And it really stands out for its beauty this work of art, which has been in the same place for years, as contemplative as its variegated vegetable, marine and fantastic essence.
Look at it well: it is a wise tree, full of readings, comings, goings, and also, songs and poetry.
I was a hillbilly university student when I attended the first event at the Casa de las Américas (House of the Americas). I don't even remember what it was about, but I know I felt immensely happy and lucky because I lived right next door, and I wasn't going to miss anything that was meant to happen there. Since then, the tree spread its charm through the large conference room.
Exhibitions, literary events or related to culture in general... I would go to everything, first.
And so I remember, for example, when Mario Benedetti signed me a book. I was worried because I had the flu, and he, so gallantly, reassured me that he could only infect it with my beauty. That's how poets are.
Yes, many writers gather in this emblematic place. When I was studying at the Onelio Jorge Cardoso Literary Training Center, we participated in an Ibero-American Narrative event that was wonderful, and although we supported the organizational part, we also took the opportunity to attend conferences and book presentations. A luxury, really.
The House of Good Memories
The House of the Americas is a place that brings me such fond memories. Here I have seen some of my favorite Cuban troubadours sing, Marta Campos, Heidi Igualada and Liuba María Hevia. You will already know them maybe one day, because I plan to visit them. But this will happen in due course, without forcing anything, because that is how things should happen.
I went to Casa de las Américas these days, to give testimony as a photojournalist, of an International Colloquium entitled From the Papyrus to the Virtual Library. I went back to see a classmate of mine, Elena Nápoles, who on behalf of UNESCO gave a Master Conference on Media and Information Literacy for Sustainable Development.
Look at that tree behind. How many creatures that are all ears. That they observe us from their irrepressible beauty of... sirens.
I also took some pictures of an exhibit in the room about items used in the restoration of heritage documents and photos.
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I could not resist the temptation to take a few photographs of the interior of the House. It is that already in this post I had said that it would come. And the opportunity came alone, as it always happens to me.
A phone call... ring... ring... Yes, hello. Hey, you have work with such a journalist, it is an event at Casa de Las Américas and you must be at 1:45 pm in Bohemia. That´s it. I immediately thought of you, of that invitation that had been left in the air.
So here we are.
Upon entering we are greeted by this rather large painting entitled Cuba is the Capital and is the work of the artist Roberto Matta, dated 1963.
Hey photographer, don't judge me that I had to do magic to show you the whole picture because my lens is a 14-42mm.
You walk a little to the back and find a room and a bookstore, whose name is the title of a book. Will you tell me the author? A small reward might find its way into your glittering coffers if you are the first to answer this.
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I have already shown you a staircase a few pictures above. We must go to the conference venue, the Ché Guevara Hall. I have a few views from there as well. Let's see.
Enjoy the walk along the walls on the top floor... hahaha... the artwork is very interesting.
They also have a large collection of posters on the walls.
In the Gué Guevara Hall there is this painting that attracts a lot of attention.
Two other large paintings can also be seen on the sides.
Here, doing my reporting job. You know.
However, what I enjoyed most about that afternoon of work, was when we were already waiting for the car to come back home, I decided to go into the library where I sat many times to read and do college work.
I saw many children coming out of there and I approached curiously. It had been years since I smelled that library aroma.
{It is no less true that the mermaids and the tree are still the greatest} 😉
There was a bibliographic exhibition of children's stories and even handmade books made from recycled paper. A beauty.
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Finally the driver arrived and on the way along Avenida G or Avenida de los Presidentes, I was thinking about time, that life is only one and we are not guaranteed everything we would like; however, as long as we have memory we can relive the good times in the time we want or have to do so. We can also live some dreams as if they really happened. That is why at some point during my visit to Casa de las Américas I escaped to the sea for a while. Who knows? The Universe listens.
If you have an elephant's memory, another small reward may soon find its way into your wallet. You just need to remember what was the name of that piece of art that I portrayed, while walking hypnotized, and that was donated to Casa de las Americas by a Venezuelan artist.
;)
See you soon.
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