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22 Opinion The ASLEF JOURNALCUBA: THE PEOPLE BEHINDTHE POLITICSAn exhibition by Cuban-born but UK-basedphotographer Alejandro Gortazar shows that Cubaisn’t a slogan or a left-wing plot – it’s a Caribbeanisland teeming with bright and lively people …IT’S difficult to get a real idea of whatCuba is like. It is discussed as if it werea political debate rather than acountry. Right-wing commentaries give theidea that it’s a poverty-stricken island delugedby constant hurricanes and inhabited by greyand repressed people – while some on the Leftportray it as a paradise on earth that is beyondcriticism.This exhibition presents another vision, aneveryday view rarely seen in the UK. It showspeople like us - young and old, working andrelaxing in communities that are urban andrural, modern and traditional.Photographer Alejandro Gortazar hasproduced 50 images to ‘celebrate the country,its achievements and the lives of its people’. AsCuban ambassador René Juan Mujica Cantelarsaid as he opened the exhibition in Londonlast month, ‘These photographs offer thechance to see behind the blockade, theshortages and the hostility from the US. Therevolution,’ he says, ‘is a personal thing’.PEOPLE LIKE USCubans are not bizarre beings. They are peoplelike us, and in many ways they have madeadvances that we can only envy – like the factthat all health care, including dentistry, is free.Cuban life expectancy is now 78 comparedwith 58 before the 1959 revolution.There is certainly nothing ‘backward’ aboutCuban literacy rates – which are among thehighest in the world. And their educationlevels are much the same as ours – except theytoo are provided free, and that includes preschool,university and adult education.Cuban women are treated with moreequality than most places on earth. Thecountry’s MPs are 42.3% women who alsomake up 62% of university students and 66%of professionals, including 52% of Cubandoctors.A SNAPSHOT OF A SOCIETYThese are some of the achievements of thepast 50 years, but Alejandro’s photographshelp us to get a much clearer picture ofordinary Cuban life.The exhibition is part of the Cuba50initiative, organised by the Cuba SolidarityCampaign. CSC Director Rob Miller says,‘Cuba50 aims to celebrate Cuba’sachievements over the last 50 years andpromote Cuban culture in the UK. We arecommitted to campaigning against the USblockade and defending the Cuban people’sright to determine their own future, free fromforeign interference.‘But, like the Cubans you see in thesephotographs, we also like enjoying ourselves! Ialways say to anyone who has prejudicesagainst the island that the best thing to do isvisit it. I urge everyone to go – it’s a marvellousplace. And for those who can’t at the moment– enjoy these pictures as a taster!’Pioneros (Pioneers) – schoolchildren in Cubadon’t get there in Range Rovers – but theyget there in time all the same!Pictures: Alejandro GortazarLa arrancada (The start) – cycling, and mostsports, form an important part of Cuban lifeLos arrozales (Rice fields) – a beautifulpicture of the demanding task of riceplantingLa Comparsa – Cubans enjoying the carnivalof comparsa music and dance groups whichoriginate from slavery times in Cuba.Bailando en la playa (Dancing on the beach)– there are annual dancing competitions onbeaches to the East of Havana The 50-photo exhibition ‘Celebrating Cuba –50 Years of Revolution’ is available on touraround the UK throughout this year. If youwould like it to be shown at your venue or byyour union branch please get in touch with theCuba Solidarity Campaign. Contact details canbe found at www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk or youcan email or phone the office onoffice@cuba-solidarity.org.uk or 020 8800 0155
April 2010Crossword 23Prize Crossword No. 48 set by TLCCLUES ACROSS3 Watery home of a‘mythical’ Scottish monster(4,4)8 Girl’s name (4)9 Royal London Borough(10)10 Painful eye affliction (4)11 Intentions (4)13 ----- and Grab (5)17 Capital of Turkey (6)18 (See 1 Down) (6)19 She usually works in aHospital (5)22 City in Yemen (4)24 Well ventilated (4)25 Working after dark (5,5)26 Electro-plated-nickelsilver,initially(4)27 Astonish, startle! (8)CLUES DOWN1 (and 18 Across) GeneralSecretary of ASLEF (5)2 Cooked food to be eatenelsewhere (9)4 Water found in the desert(5)5 Many of these make lightwork! (5)6 Additional (5)7 Lack of this is apparent inWinter (8)12 Lunch, dinner or tea (4)14 Food soaked overnight inseasoning or wine (9)15 Wages, income (8)16 ---- Blyton, children’author (4)20 Man’s name (5)21 Go in (5)22 ---- and pains (5)23 Borough of London withan impressive ShoppingCentre (5)Solution to Crossword No 47 which appeared in theMarch edition of the ASLEF <strong>Journal</strong>. Congratulations toKerry Holton from Alton, HantsACROSS 1 Old Street 8 Restaurant Car 11 Alec 12Habit 13 Cede 16 Leisure 17 Geology 18 Bentine 20Conceal 21 Roll 22 Apart 23 ISBN 26 Pneumatic tyre 27SignalmanDOWN 2 Late 3 Sausage 4 Reading 5 Eats 6 VenetianBlind 7 Made To Measure 9 Early Bird 10 Recycling 14Tulip 15 Round 19 Explain 20Cordial 24 Judi 25 EtnaThe winner of this month’s crossword will receiveMarks & Spencer vouchers to the value of £25Name......................................................................................................Address.............................................................................................................................................................Postcode......................................Thanks for all your responses to the 47th ASLEF crossword in the March edition. If you complete this month’s crossword please sendthe solution to the Editor, ASLEF <strong>Journal</strong>, 9 Arkwright Road, London NW3 6AB by the 14th of the issue month.ASLEF’S legal services – your rights for their wrongs!FREE LEGAL ADVICE ASLEF also provides first class free legaladvice – both for members and for their dependents. During2009 ASLEF recovered £1,946,190.45 in damages for all types ofcases. Call the helpline on 0808 100 8009EMERGENCIES If you are an ASLEF member who is arrested orbeing interviewed by the police and need legal assistance –day or night – you can call the members' Emergency Hotline on0800 587 7530.SACKINGS OR OTHER PROBLEMS AT WORK Harassment,discrimination or bullying? If your local, branch or districtrepresentative is unavailable, call the Industrial Relationsdepartment at union headquarters (020 7317 8600) or emailinfo@aslef.org.ukMore than just a unionChanged your Address?Name.........................................................Address........................................................................................................................Postcode...................................................Telephone..................................................Branch.......................................................Membership No........................................Please return coupon to: 9 ArkwrightRoad, London NW3 6AB
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