Witness for Peace January People to People Trip

This very reasonably priced trip will be co-led by one of the most knowledgeable Cuba activists in Washington, Mavis Anderson of the Latin America Working Group.

Cuba: Arts and Culture Delegation

January 14 – January 24, 2012

People-to-People Licensed Delegation to Cuba:

All applicants welcome!

                                                                                                       

On this delegation we will explore Cuba’s vibrant culture, including its artistic, architectural, musical, dance, sports, and literary traditions. We will enjoy performances in music and dance, exhibitions in the visual arts and architecture, and visits to landmarks associated with such literary figures as Jose Marti and Ernest Hemingway. Our appreciation will be deepened by meetings with Cuban performers, artists, and scholars.  Discussions with Cubans will help us understand the current art scene within the unique political and historical context of the country. Arts education will be explored through visits to training centers and meetings with students. Our exploration of cultural activities will be broad and may include film screenings, sporting events, and visits to important sites outside of Havana.

All planned activities will include extended interchanges with Cubans. There will be opportunities to speak with representatives of both the United States Interests Section and the Cuban Foreign Ministry, and to learn with delegation consultants, Mavis Anderson, Sr. Associate for Cuba of the Latin America Working Group, and LAWG Education Fund board member and author, Jeanne Lemkau (www.lostandfoundincuba.com).

Please join us for an exciting cultural immersion in a truly spectacular country!

Sample of Trip Highlights: 

v      Performance of Coppélia (choreographed by Alicia Alonso) by the Cuban National Ballet at the Gran Teatro, followed by discussion of dance and Cuban national culture with choreographers

v      Santeria dance performance, followed by conversation on Cuban religion in its many forms

v      Museum visits, including the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Museum of the Revolution

v      Visit to Ernest Hemingway’s former home--Finca Vigia, Cojimar--and meeting with a curator to discuss the author’s legacy in Cuba and reaction to the Revolution

v      Architectural orientation and walking tour of Old Havana with experts from restoration project

v      Visit public art sites, and discuss the impact of recent economic changes with self-employed artists

v      Visits to artist studios and training centers to meet directly with Cubans

v      Meetings with musicians, artists, scholars and members of arts/culture organizations to discover how Cuba’s unique history has shaped contemporary Cuban life

For more information about this delegation, please contact Delegation Coordinators:

Mavis Anderson: manderson@lawg.org 202-546-7010

Jeanne Lemkau: jeanne.lemkau@wright.edu 937-572-3256

Applications:  Due by November 14, 2011 with a $150 deposit. Balance due December 7, 2011. Apply online today at www.witnessforpeace.org

Cost: $1,550 plus airfare to Havana.  This includes all meals, accommodations, facilitation, translation, and transportation in Cuba.  Your fee also covers an orientation/training session, and extensive reading materials and action tools distributed both before and after the delegation. 

Witness for Peace (WFP) is a politically independent, grassroots organization.  We are people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. Our mission is to support peace, justice, and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing U.S. policies and corporate practices that contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean. We stand with people who seek justice