Cuban poet's words deftly touch audience

Posted on Thu, Oct. 27, 2005
MIAMI DADE COLLEGE NEWS

Cuban poet's words deftly touch audience

Cuban dissident poet Raúl Rivero read his poems filled with memories
Oct. 13 at the Chapman Center of Miami Dade College's Wolfson Campus. An
audience of about 400 listened to the presentation hosted by the Florida
Center for the Literary Arts.

Rivero's appearance at MDC was among his first in the United States
since he was released from prison in Cuba. At a press conference before
his lecture, he spoke about the Cuban government, saying because there
is no freedom of speech, people learn to show their sorrow with humor.

During his presentation, Rivero read from his most recent book of poems,
Corazón sin furia (Heart Without Fury). He talked about his love for
poetry and said he prefers intimate gatherings, such as the back porch
of a friend's house, than loud public events. But he expressed his
appreciation to the audience, saying he came to share some of his life
experiences written before, during and after his time in jail.

He read poems filled with emotion, using phrases such as ''I have
perfected my ways of staring at the sea'' and ``I have learned to live
and get old with the days of the week.''

In his poetry, Rivero also explored the concept of fear as a tactic for
salvation, as an element for personal defense, and stressed his belief
that the purpose of communism is to deactivate freedom from the time of
birth.

''With his poetry he brought together journalists, politicians, students
and Miami residents to share and enjoy this presentation,'' said
22-year-old MDC student Hilda Méndez.

Norma Goonen, MDC provost for education, recognized Rivero, 59, with a
presidential medal from the college, describing him as ``a man who
represents two angular stones: the fight for the teaching of truth and
the right of free expression.''

Following his presentation, many people gathered to have their books
autographed by Rivero and praised the college for sponsoring events like
this.

''Rivero is a man to admire, truly audacious,'' said Aida Levitan,
president of Hispanic Events. ``I like how Miami Dade is always at the
forefront with inspiring events for the community.''

Artist Xavier Cortada was also captivated by Rivero's presentation.

''This is an incredible homecoming for someone who has never been here,
but has,'' Cortada said. ``With his verses, he allowed me to enter into
his most obscure and remote place, his jail, and I willingly accepted.''

Author and New York Times writer Mirta Ojita described Rivero as ''a man
of incredible sensibility with an outstanding sense of humor,'' adding,
``I don't feel he has any kind of rancor in his heart despite having
been in jail.''

Two years ago, Cuban authorities sentenced Rivero to 20 years in prison
for writing and publishing anti-Castro dispatches in defense of 75
dissidents jailed in Cuba. In November 2004, international human rights
organizations negotiated his freedom with the Cuban government. He lives
in Spain with his wife, Blanca Reyes de Rivero.

FILM FESTIVAL

Films from Colombia will be featured at the second annual Colombian Film
Festival, hosted by Miami Dade College Friday through Nov. 6 at the
North Campus William and Lehman Theater, 11380 NW 27th Ave., Building 5.

The festival will open with the film El Rey, directed by Jose Antonio
Dorado. Other films to be showcased and not previously presented in the
United States are La sombra del caminante and Sin amparo, as well as
Sumas y restas, the newest production by renowned movie director Víctor
Gaviria.

Workshops with directors and actors exploring the current status of
Colombian cinematography also will be featured. The public is invited to
the daily interactive workshops that will take place immediately after
the showing of each film.

Additionally, film-goers will be able to view posters displaying the
history of Colombian cinematography on the walls of the Tower Theater lobby.

The admission cost for each film is $5.

For more information, call Marisol Correa, 305-237-1195, or e-mail
mcorrea@mdc.edu.

CITIZENSHIP WORKSHOP

The Institute of Cuban Studies and Miami Dade College will host a
workshop on dual citizenship in the United States and Cuba at noon
Saturday at the Wolfson Campus, 300 NE Second Ave., Building 7, Room 7128.

At the workshop, which is free and open to the public, a group of
researchers will explore the issue of dual citizenship in both countries
in a post-Castro Cuba. Lecturers will use examples from other nations to
generate discussions on the subject.

The discussion will focus also on a revised Cuban constitution that
would include the process of reconciliation between residents of the
island and Cubans abroad.

For more information, call 305-926-4075.
This column is compiled by the media relations staff of Miami Dade College.

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