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The writer Leonardo Padura Fuentes affirmed that there are few reasons to think of Havana with optimism, both due to the deterioration of its streets and buildings and the behavior of its people.
"There are few reasons to think of Havana with optimism. Money and will are needed; however, there has been no intention to preserve that Havana where most of the Havana residents live," he lamented.
The renowned author of detective novels has coined a term to describe his relationship with the city that bore him: "ajenitud." This reflects how, when he steps out onto the street, he increasingly observes attitudes that feel strange to him, even hostile.
"People are exhibiting moral decay that corresponds with the physical destruction of the environment. The broken city has been causing a decline in people's behavior," he revealed to the EFE agency.
Padura is in Mexico promoting "Going to Havana," a book about the history and present of the Cuban capital, which is increasingly distant from the city where he grew up, practiced journalism, wrote his novels, and still continues to live.
"It's a book I've always wanted to write," he confessed. This time, it's not a work of fiction, but a volume that in the first part includes excerpts from his novels related to the city, and in the second part gathers chronicles written years ago about emblematic events or figures from Havana in past centuries.
The prestigious intellectual, who the regimehas tried to "invisibilize" his figure as a writer, believes that there will not be a good future for the country as long as all Cubans do not row in the same direction, regardless of ideologies, religious beliefs, races, or sexual preferences.
"If we all get on the 'little boat' of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, which carried a white person, an Indian, and a black person through a storm in Nipe Bay, it would be something good for the fate of Cuba. We cannot allow passions to defeat intelligence and disagreements to overshadow the need for harmony," he concluded.
At the beginning of the year, Padura stated that marginalization, violence, poverty, and inequality have grown in Havana.
In an interview with Infobae, he recalled that in the 1940s and 50s, the capital of Cuba had a dazzling character that gradually diminished with government measures, and he lamented how blackouts and shortages have intensified in the present day.
"Marginalization has increased, violence has increased. So has poverty and inequality," she emphasized.
Frequently asked questions about the current situation in Havana and the impact of the Cuban regime
Why does Leonardo Padura claim that there are few reasons for optimism in Havana?
Leonardo Padura asserts that there are few reasons for optimism in Havana due to the physical deterioration of the city and the moral behavior of its inhabitants. The writer emphasizes the lack of money and will to preserve the city, which has led to a decline not only in the buildings but also in the conduct of the people. According to Padura, the broken city has negatively influenced the behaviors of those in Havana.
How does Leonardo Padura describe the social and economic situation of Havana?
Padura describes the situation in Havana as polarized, with rising levels of marginalization, violence, poverty, and inequality. According to the writer, only a few can enjoy the restaurants and nightclubs, while the average citizen cannot afford these luxuries. Havana has lost its former splendor due to government decisions and a lack of resources.
What is Padura's criticism of reggaeton music in Cuba?
Padura criticizes reggaeton as a reflection of the cultural and ethical decline of Cuban society. He states that reggaeton is not the cause of this decline but rather a consequence of it, highlighting the rhythmic and harmonic poverty of the music, as well as its macho, racist, and homophobic lyrics. However, he clarifies that the root issue is the social deterioration that has led to this cultural expression.
What does Leonardo Padura propose for the future of Cuba?
Padura suggests that the future of Cuba relies on the unity of all Cubans, regardless of their ideologies, religious beliefs, race, or sexual preferences. He argues that it is essential for Cubans to work together and prevent passions from defeating intelligence and disagreements from overshadowing the need for harmony. This unity is vital for the country's bright future.
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