Nostalgia Biographer

By Jorge Luis Sánchez Grass.

Words written for the "Nostalgia Memories" Exhibit catalogue.

Photojournalist Amauris Betancourt has become in a natural way, thanks to deliberate and unconditioned reasons, the Nostalgia biographer (Arañando la Nostalgia Music Festival). His snapshots have accompanied each Festival celebration.

The artist's accusing eye has undressed our purposes. He has been more than once a hidden eyewitness to many concerts and February alibis to enjoy ourselves. The photoreporter has turned out to be a main character at different planes. Sometimes very close to first planes; sometimes just taking part, but always an observer or a witness, with low or high profile, accepting in each moment responsibility and risk. That gives this exhibit a testimonial and ethical value sorting out his pieces as tangible documents of an epoch reaching now five years.

Diversity is concise and exhaustive, and embraces a wide scope. The images have come out of different technical supports, and so has quality. However, the artist's quality breathes above all apparatus. Actually, nothing seems more lucid that accepting the sincere and heterogeneous character that settles down the interrogation. Because each photo accounts for it: an interrogation turned into an answer where the author’s iconographic eloquence stands out.

Let us thank the truth’s unbreaking possibility to emerge from a deep genuine call. Amauris Betancourt adds up to it: a reality's vital segment, defining and strengthening the most beautiful and humble language, the enjoyable act to change it on the way to perfection.

Buried Cuban Poet Angel Augier

Ángel Augier, an Holguín poet born in Freyre municipality, 1991 National Literature Award and founder of the National Association of Cuban Writers and Artists (UNEAC), was buried yesterday in Havana's Colón cemetery.

A breathing problem brought about his death. Augier was the UNEAC vice-president for several years, founded the Cuban Journalist Association (UPEC) and was member of the Cuban Spanish Languague Academy. His last visit to Holguín was during the International Book Fair in 2006, when I made this portrait.

Holguín Lyrical Theater Tours Jerry German’s Broadway Musical Show

La Cage aux Folles, staged for the first time in Cuba.

Jerry Herman’s Show, the Rodrigo Prats Lyrical Company’s new production, was staged last night in the Ismaelillo movie-theater. The work, included in the Holguin’s Week of Culture’s program, tours three of the most important pieces by the American Broadway musical show composer Jerry German; “Hello, Dolly”, “Mame” and “La Cage aux Folles”, this last played as a national premier in Holguín, while “Mame” was premiered in 1970 by Nelson Dorr and “Hello, Dolly” by Octavio Cortazar in 1984, respectively.

Liudmila Pérez, María Elena Rodríguez, Kenia Allen and young debutant Alejandro Aguilera.

Art Director Raúl de la Rosa, general director Conchita Casals as well as the main actresses Maria Elena Rodriguez and Liudmila Pérez, with the special interpretation of Martin Arranz were “Bravo!-ed” and largely applauded.