Overview
Burt Glinn’s photographs—of Fidel thronged by his fellow Cubans along the road to Havana, of troops embracing, and of fierce men and women taking up arms in the streets—are full of the revolutionary fervor and idealistic anticipation that characterized that moment in Cuban history. Bilingual text in English and Spanish.
Synopsis
A unique collection of rarely seen photographs recording Castro's historic entry into Havana in January 1959.
Criticas
One of the most developed Latin American cities before the 1959 revolution, Havana was the indisputable center of Cuban art and intellectual life. As La Habana en mi coraz"n documents, it was an exceptional city, boasting electricity in its homes before many other cities in the world. But Fidel Castro's triumph stopped the city's development as the government gave preference to underdeveloped rural communities. Only after the fall of the Soviet Union, when Havana became the centerpiece of a booming tourist industry, did recovery occur. Originally published in English in 2002, this book succinctly traces Havana's sociohistorical and economic history over 75 years through photographs that document the multitudinous ethnic neighborhoods and the malecn, Havana's seven-mile-long sea walk. Although most of the images come from classic photographers like Osvaldo Salas and Alberto Korda, others represent more recent productions by Francisco Bou, Miguel Vi$as, and Sergio Romero. These later images capture the revolution, including Castro's majestic entrance into Havana alongside triumphant rebels and thousands of sympathizers, mainly in the readily available military iconography. The book's allure is, however, its portrayal of a vibrant Havana that thrives behind a strong military presence. Of particular ethnographic value are the numerous photographs of the rich African Cuban culture, particularly rituals associated with the Yoruban practices known as Santeria and its strong influence on the Havana carnival. Well-documented essays complement the photographs. Cuba's military prowess is also amply documented in La Habana: El momento revolucionario by distinguished American photographer Glinn.Internationally known for his war coverage, Glinn also documented Castro's arrival into Havana in the early days of 1959 and particularly Castro's allure for the common Cuban citizen. The guerrilla fighters' stranglehold on the population is evident in the massive outpourings of people who took over streets in the desire to greet the young leader. This was, however, a serious military operation, documented in the many images of the revolutionary fighters who prepared the way for Castro's safe arrival in the capital city. Occupied Havana also stands out: The vibrant, commercial, and elegant urban center is shown as a military-controlled city during the tension of politically unstable post-revolutionary days. Three short articles (one by Glinn) set the tone for understanding the political consequences of Castro's arrival in Cuba and the importance of photography before and after the triumph of the revolution. These books are highly recommended for bookstores and general libraries interested in Cuban and Latin American history and specifically for collections on Latin American photography. [Translator Carmen Ospina is the Associate Book Review Editor of Criticas. DEd.] D. Rafael Ocasio, Agnes Scott Coll, Decatur, GA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.