Recently, Lis Cuesta, the spouse of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, made an appearance on the television show "Cuadrando la Caja," where she was introduced as a Doctor of Sciences and an expert in Cultural Economics. Despite her professional background being primarily in coordinating tourism events in Cuba, she ventured into discussing how cultural activities impact the nation's economy.
On the show, she joined Fernando León Jacomino, Deputy Minister of Culture, and Michel Torres Corona, host of the regime-aligned program "Con Filo." Notably, none of these individuals are economists or business leaders in Cuba's cultural sector. They lacked essential data on which cultural service companies significantly contribute to the economy, offering no examples of financial gains or losses across various cultural fields. The panel also failed to specify how much state funding is allocated to cultural development programs.
The program's host, Marxlenin Pérez Valdés, selected three socialist officials with insufficient expertise to tackle the complexities of cultural economics. The discussion centered around how the regime supposedly funds most cultural activities without presenting evidence, numbers, or visual aids, leaving viewers to rely solely on the words of these communist officials.
The Contribution of Cultural Events to the Economy
Lis Cuesta asserted that culture is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban economy and that cultural events are a significant source of revenue. She claimed these events are indeed profitable, yet the actual earnings and how the state allocates this income from culturally motivated tourists remain undisclosed.
She emphasized that the culture sector has played a crucial role in attracting tourism, challenging Cuba's long-standing image as merely a sun-and-beach destination. According to her, the current government leadership is increasingly interested in the synergy between culture and tourism. Nonetheless, she did not address the ongoing issue of unpaid dues to artists and cultural entities by the tourism sector, a persistent problem in Cuba's cultural economy.
The Human Factor: Discrepancy Between Discourse and Reality
One focal point of Cuesta's talk was the "human factor," which she declared central to cultural and economic development. She emphasized that creators are key players in the economic model promoted by the government. However, this statement contrasts sharply with the reality faced by artists and cultural workers.
In practice, funding challenges, payment delays, and censorship have distanced the true human factor from decision-making in cultural development. The establishment decides which projects align with official discourse, leaving unsupported and persecuted those that do not.
Luxury Events and Public Access
Cuesta defended the government's organization of luxury events, stating they are part of the national identity and should not be canceled. She mentioned a narrative in social media attacking these events and linked the issue to traditional festivities like the Parrandas de Remedios, Jornada Cucalambeana, or Festival del Caribe, none of which have sparked controversy online.
She avoided addressing events that have faced criticism from Cubans. These events are marked by their exclusivity, catering to a select audience while excluding popular or community participation. Notable examples include "Le Dîner en Blanc" and various music and gastronomic festivals in the Cayos and Havana. These events target a privileged audience, whereas the majority of the population struggles with food shortages and limited access to basic services.
A Cultural Economy in Crisis
While Cuesta advocates for strengthening the cultural sector as an economic engine, the daily reality for artists and cultural workers is one of scarcity and lack of state support. Cuba's cultural economy is hindered by a lack of funding, bureaucratic obstacles, limited business vision, and governmental control, stunting its actual and sustainable development.
Lis Cuesta's discourse on "Cuadrando la Caja" failed to address these structural issues, leaving unanswered the pressing concerns of those living amidst the cultural crisis on the island. Despite the so-called "experts'" claims, a growing number of people cannot even afford a theater ticket due to insufficient wages.
Understanding Cuba's Cultural Economic Challenges
What role does culture play in Cuba's economy?
Culture is considered a significant pillar of Cuba's economy, with cultural events contributing notably to revenue generation, especially through tourism. However, the exact financial impact remains unclear.
Why is the Cuban cultural economy facing difficulties?
Cuba's cultural economy struggles due to insufficient funding, bureaucratic inefficiencies, a lack of entrepreneurial vision, and heavy governmental control, which collectively impede its growth and sustainability.
How does the Cuban government support cultural events?
The Cuban government claims to subsidize cultural activities, but detailed information on the funding and allocation of resources remains undisclosed, raising questions about the transparency and effectiveness of such support.