My original project proposal: 

How can something continually influence a culture it directly contradicts? Last year, I was privileged to study Spanish in Cuba with Colorado College. I immediately became immersed in the lively culture – claves reverberating through streets, passionate salsa dancers in the clubs, and street artists displaying works of beauty and depth. One aspect of the culture that I truly did not expect to encounter, however, was that of American rock and roll. Cubans deeply resent the embargo the United States placed on their country in 1958, as it strangled Cuba’s access to resources. Virtually anything having to do with the United States can breed animosity or mockery among Cubans, but rock and roll stands apart. More importantly, the Beatles stand apart. read more

As mentioned in my proposal, in 1996, the Cuban Writers and Artists’ Union in Havana held a Beatles colloquium. Though the event coordinator, Ernesto Juan Castellanos, was unable to get the most prominent figures to come (Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Martin, Yoko Ono), many writers and affiliates of the Beatles either sent or brought information to share. Presenters gave lectures and speeches, read essays, and discussed various ways the Beatles made themselves known on an island where rock and roll was practically illegal. Castellanos took all of these talks and essays and organized them into a book, written in Spanish, The Beatles in Cuba: A Magical Mystery Tour. This book was an enormous aid for me. From it, I gleaned many reasons why the Beatles were able to rise to great popularity in Havana – reasons I could then reject or corroborate through interviewing Cubans themselves. read more

I tried to make this project as flexible as possible, but with clear goals in mind. Therefore, I made a list of the places I wanted to see and to go and a list of questions to ask people. However, that’s about as far as I could get, organizationally. Accessing information about establishments – their hours, who works there, if the establishment is still open or even exists – can be impossible in Cuba. So I wasn’t going to force it. Similarly, Cubans are very gregarious people; you never know where a conversation may end up with them. Therefore, I came up with the following questions merely as a reference, a basis to start conversation, allowing my interviews more freedom. read more

Returning to Cuba was like reuniting with an old friend. The humid air, long lines, and 50s automobiles puffing out smoke, while a nuisance by the end of my time there last winter, were a comfort. I easily made it to my homestay – the house of my “Cuban grandparents,” Angelita and Silvino – and settled in.

The first night, I was too exhausted to interview, but still went to Submarino Amarillo for their cover band (it was Saturday, and Saturdays are the best at Submarino). It was definitely different returning there alone, but it allowed me to take in many observations, both old and new. read more

The first person I spoke to in this project was my host mom, Angelita. I simply asked her what she knew of the Beatles during the 60s. She explained that unfortunately, she knows little; at that time, her father had sent her and the family outside of the city to protect them. She assured me, however, that younger Cubans would certainly talk to me about it. While there was a lot of censorship and ultimately the prohibition of rock and roll, Cuba was and remains “un mundo de arte,” an art world. Middle-aged Cubans lived this world of art; listening to the Beatles was practically a part of their education, though self-taught. “La historia no se puede borrar,” – “The history [of the Beatles in Cuba] cannot be erased,” she explained. When Parque John Lennon was created, Cubans weren’t opposed. Angelita noted that you can’t deny how bueníssimo the Beatles’ music is, and she’s glad that Cubans of all ages now can freely enjoy it. She believes that the Beatles are still important in Cuba because they speak to the reality of life during the 60s – a reality that “no se puede ocultar,” or cannot be hidden. I particularly like how she used “ocultar,” a verb meaning “kept out of sight” or “disguised.” read more