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News

04-29-04

[From CubaNews, CubaNews@yahoogroups.com]

Casa de Las Americas Celebrates 45th Birthday

[Casa de Las Americas is the organization that facilitates our class sessions and events throughout our stay in Cuba-- DP]

Havana, Apr 28 (Prensa Latina) Casa de Las Americas, where top artists in the cultural panorama of Latin America have found a space privileging the identity, thought and diversity of their peoples, is now 45 years old.

Activities recalling its birth bring to the forefront renowned personalities who marked the history of the cultural institution, such as revolutionary hero Haydee Santamaria, painter Mariano Rodriguez, and Guatemalan writer Manuel Galich, who was president of the theatre department, and founder of Conjunto magazine.

Santamaria headed the cultural institution from its founding up to 1980, the year of her death. In that period, Casa was not only a platform, but also shelter, for many rebel and misunderstood artists.

Painter Mariano Rodriguez (1912-1990) and poet and essay writer Roberto Fernandez Retamar -its current president- have headed Casa de Las Americas.

In its founding year, Casa de Las Americas opened its literary award to stimulate the work of Latin American creators. The Haydee Santamaria Our America Art Collection preserves a patrimony of more than 10,000 works of different trends.

Casa has offered Latin American cultural expression and the voices for an alternative path to neoliberalism a place and fostering hand.

Besides, it organizes the May Theatre Festival every other year. The latest edition begins on May 7.

The figure of Manuel Galich (1913-1984) will be the center of the activity Wednesday, and his former colleagues will recall the legacy of the man who contributed to restoring
the Americas´ identity, history and image.

During the activity, one of Galich´s best works, "Nuestros Primeros Padres" (Our First Parents) will be presented.

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4-12-04

Dear Students:

There is still a way for you to participate in our Cuba program even if you have not signed up for the required PLS/CLS 499 course on Cuba that is being taught this spring (Contemporary Cuban Politics and Society). You would have to start attending the class which meets wednesdays from 5 to 9 P.M. in building 3-114. You would also have to catch up on the reading for the course. We have an excellent group going to Cuba this summer. While there, we will receive 32 hours of instruction at Casa de las Americas on all aspects of Cuban reality, its economy, culture, and foreign policy. We will visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum in Villa Clara and other historical sights. The cost is approximately $2,900 but this includes 12 summer course units at Cal Poly that are a part of the program. There is some funding available for students who need some financial assistance but each student is expected to cover most of the costs. For funding assistance, the following are required

-G.P.A. of 2.5 with at least two quarters of coursework completed at Cal Poly Pomona;
-Writing an essay of 1,000 words or less on why you want to go to Cuba and how going to Cuba fits in to your educational goals;
-Being a student in good standing with the university;
-Willingness to sign an agreement that you will complete all of the required summer units and that you would be expected to return the funds allocated to you should you fail to do so.

The program is a challenging program but it is also immensely rewarding and a lot of fun. In the four years that we have had this program at Cal Poly, there have been no students who have stated that the program was not a worthwhile experience. Student responses have been glowingly positive. So, if you want a rewarding educational experience in the Cuba Program, there is still an opportunity to participate this summer. We intend to keep this option open for another ten days.

Jose M. Vadi, Director
jmvadi@csupomona.edu



Dr. Jose M. Vadi
Professor, Political Science
California State Polytechnic University
3801 W. Temple Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768

(909) 869-3881

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4-5-04

Added additional forms on the sign up page. Make sure to fill them out.

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This year there will be no funding from the International Center. For financial assistance contact Dr. Vadi. The cost for the 2004 Cuba study abroad program is estimated at $2,900. This price covers the Cuba program, including airfare, hotel, 12 Cal Poly course units, and insurance. However, this does not include a $50.00 exit fee when leaving the U.S. and a $25.00 exit fee leaving Cuba. The approximate total cost of the trip will between $3,575 - $3,675 ($2900 + $75 exit fees + $600-700 spending money).

Apply for your passport now if you do not have one as it costs over $60 to expedite passport processing. All the necessary passport forms are located in the Sign Up page for your convenience.

Upcoming Events

January 12 - January 31, 2004
Building 5 display exhibit.

January 22, 2004 (Tentative)
Political Science Club Meeting: "Cuba 2004." Guest speaker, Dr. Vadi, will talk about the Cuba study abroad program. Possible slide show presentation as well.

January 26, 2004
Email messages will be sent out to prospective Cuba participants.

January 29, 2004
Fiesta Latina: music, salsa dancing competition, Cuba travel promotion.

February 25, 2003 (Tentative)
Cuba Travel Promotional Event/Cuba Travel Alumni Reunion in the International Center. Cuban Music and food. Perspective Cuba students will have a chance to meet past alumni of the Cuba study abroad program, hear testimonials,and ask questions.

Cuba News

U.S. Farmers Call for End to Cuba Embargo

Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2003