Head of US Interests Section meets w Artists in Havana & NY Phil can't go to Cuba as planned nt

http://www.cubaalamano.net/sitio/client/brief.php?id=7310

Representación diplomática de EE.UU. reúne a artistas cubanos



La Habana, 1 oct. – Importantes artistas cubanos, como la directora Zenaida Romeo, el jazzista Chucho Valdés y pintor Roberto Fabelo, asistieron a una recepción en la residencia de Jonathan Farrar, jefe de la Sección de Intereses de Estados Unidos en La Habana (SINA), tras varios años de alejamiento durante el gobierno de George W. Bush, informó el diario español El País.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8286598.stm


NY Philharmonic shelves Cuba trip

The New York Philharmonic performed in North Korea last year

New York's Philharmonic Orchestra has put off its first trip to Cuba after sponsors were barred from visiting the Communist-led country.

"The postponement is due to existing US government restrictions on travel to Cuba," it said in a statement.

The orchestra's backers are playing a pivotal role in making the two-concert trip to Havana possible, it added.

The Philharmonic made history last year when they performed a landmark concert in North Korea's capital Pyongyang.

Logistical problems

The visit was viewed as an unprecedented show of cultural diplomacy between the US and the reclusive state, which have endured frosty relations for decades.

Havana was due to host two concerts by the orchestra at the end of next month.

It said that its plans received the support of President Barack Obama's administration.

But long-standing restrictions on the travel of US citizens to Cuba caused logistical problems.

According to a Philharmonic spokesman, US authorities said no travel permit category existed for them to travel under.

Some 150 patrons and supporters of the orchestra had pledged to pay $10,000 (£6,295) each to go on the trip to the Caribbean island.

Organisers have said they will attempt to visit Cuba at a later date.

A US trade embargo has been enforced against the island since 1962.

President Obama has eased travel restrictions for Cuban Americans but has said the embargo will not be lifted until democratic reforms take place.

I went to the ballet in Havana and people talked and made noise eating out of potato chip bags during the performance. I wonder if they would do the same for the Philharmonic?

Commie peasant retards don't like kultcha.

I agree. The embargo will not be lifted until democratic reforms take place - in the USA.

Where is the law suit regarding that?

I forgot to mention that I think the meeting with the US Interests Section of prominent Cuban artists including the multiple Grammy winning pianist Chucho Valdes was an effort by the Obama administration to say "We're sorry about that, but we are still dealing with knuckle-dragging neanderthals and as such have a pile of ridiculous regulations that we need to unwind".

I can't imagine it was not in some way an apology. For sure Chucho was going to perform with the NY Phil as a guest.

As such, it's a good sign of things to come. Obama is not going to continue to block cultural exchanges, it's not his style.