Our Official Signing!
Davis and Gonzalez sign Agreement
From the Newspaper “The Sierra Maestra," Provincial Paper of Santiago de Cuba
Saturday January 4, 2003
Official Sistering Between the North American City of Berkeley and Palma Soriano
By: Joel Mourlot Mercaderes
Palma Soriano officially linked itself with the City of Berkeley, of the state of California, in the United States, during an official act celebrated in the Town Hall of the City of the Municipal Assembly of the People’s Power.
Signed by the President of the local body: Alfredo Gonzalez and Rebecca Lucy Davis, representative of Mayor Tom Bates, ultimate governmental authority of Berkeley, the two basic points contained in the act are: [1] the strengthening of peace and friendship between both cities, on the basis of respect and equality, and learning about each others cultures and [2] fighting together to succeed in normalizing relations between both countries, and in this way to stimulate exchanges and collaborations in areas of common interest.
The Berkeley delegation, composed of 25 members, visited places of historic and tourist interest, and were especially impacted by their visit to the School of Social Workers, and the School for the Visually Impaired in the city of Santiago.
In the act of sistering, Alfredo Gonzalez (President of the Municipality of Palma Soriano) and Andres Soria Rodriguez (Vice-President of the Municipality of Palma) spoke, along with Rebecca Lucy, who marked the importance of this kind embrace with the assistance of Ernesto Suarez, Secretary of the Cuban Parliament, delegates of the Municipal Assembly, and political and social leaders.
Saturday January 4, 2003
Official Sistering Between the North American City of Berkeley and Palma Soriano
By: Joel Mourlot Mercaderes
Palma Soriano officially linked itself with the City of Berkeley, of the state of California, in the United States, during an official act celebrated in the Town Hall of the City of the Municipal Assembly of the People’s Power.
Signed by the President of the local body: Alfredo Gonzalez and Rebecca Lucy Davis, representative of Mayor Tom Bates, ultimate governmental authority of Berkeley, the two basic points contained in the act are: [1] the strengthening of peace and friendship between both cities, on the basis of respect and equality, and learning about each others cultures and [2] fighting together to succeed in normalizing relations between both countries, and in this way to stimulate exchanges and collaborations in areas of common interest.
The Berkeley delegation, composed of 25 members, visited places of historic and tourist interest, and were especially impacted by their visit to the School of Social Workers, and the School for the Visually Impaired in the city of Santiago.
In the act of sistering, Alfredo Gonzalez (President of the Municipality of Palma Soriano) and Andres Soria Rodriguez (Vice-President of the Municipality of Palma) spoke, along with Rebecca Lucy, who marked the importance of this kind embrace with the assistance of Ernesto Suarez, Secretary of the Cuban Parliament, delegates of the Municipal Assembly, and political and social leaders.
A Journal Report: Our First Delegation to Palma
At the Tomb of Jose Marti
First Delegation for Berkeley-Cuba Sister City Group
by Michael Page
edited by Sarah Davis
After months of planning, fundraising, attending meetings, and organizing, a delegation of the Berkeley-Palma Soriano Sister City Association made its first official visit to Cuba. On December 21, 2002, the delegate's twin-engine airplane touched down at Abél Santamaria Airport in Santiago de Cuba, starting a jam-packed adventure full of music, art, and new connections. A video recording of the arrival showed a diverse group of 25 delegates, some who were there for the first time and some who had been working toward solidarity with Cuba for decades.
For the next two weeks, the Berkeley visitors were escorted to a variety of casual and official events as guests of the town of Palma Soriano in the eastern province of Santiago. Tremendous effort and resources went into making the delegates feel welcome in this rural hamlet of 125,000. Hospitalities included a wonderful Christmas pig roast and feast in the campo with real Guajira music. Each day, the delegates were received with snacks and music by their hosts, who were eager to share their Cuban generosity. One doctor in Palma expressed his solidarity with the group by saying, "We and you (americanos) are confronting the same aggressor." The visit coincided with the "Week of Culture" in Palma and the auspicious presence of the delegation contributed to the significance of the week's events.
In addition to visiting Caribbean beaches and festive nightclubs, there were many opportunities for the delegates to visit places where their Cuban hosts could demonstrate advances made in education, health care, social, and cultural development. Such progress was evident at the site of the brand new School of Social Work in Santiago. This massive facility, adorned with exquisite art, possesses interesting architectural features of vista, light, and shadow. The group partook in an extended conversation with the director of the school about the mission and vision of social workers in Cuba. Their mission differs from ours, which operates under a capitalist system that puts profit before people. The delegates saw Cuba's motivation as more compassionate, a social system that cares for its citizens and their cultural development. This was reinforced in subsequent visits to other schools and clinics, including the Youth Computer Club in Palma, a solar-powered health clinic in Guamá, and the School for the Blind and Visually-Impaired in Santiago.
Another example of compassionate health care was witnessed at the Clinica de Medicina Tradicional in Palma. Here the delegates saw demonstrations of acupuncture and other alternative health practices. They were shown a Cuban device that uses a type of laser instead of acupuncture needles to stimulate the body's meridians. After sharing herb teas and healthy snacks, they saw a demonstration of movement, calisthenics, and breathing exercises performed by children with asthma and elders with joint problems. This visit ended in spontaneous singing of patriotic and uplifting songs from both sides of the blockade.
The next visit was to the Casa del Joven Creador. This artist's studio, a classic colonial structure with tall, shuttered, slender doors that open on to the street, is part of the Asociación Hermanos Saíz. Here, an ambitious group of young artists and musicians gather to develop their crafts. Some of the pieces currently being created in the Casa are sculptural, composed of earth-finds, folklore, fable, and incantation. The men and women in the collective Ennegro, are committed to artworks that preserve and serve culture and nature, which they see as intertwined. They have drafted intricate plans to plant and nurture an area of the River Caúto. At the same time they will honor their Franco-Haitian heritage in the creation of art and the performing of ceremonies in sacred groves.
Another outstanding visit was to the Casa de Cultura in Palma, a town brimming with musicians and known as the birthplace of Charanga. Here the delegation was treated to two groups of youth performers whose incredible sophistication and ability out-matched many adult performers. The group, called Los Yandis after the director, Amauris Yandis, combines salsa, rap, reggae and soul in their original music. They love and appreciate the traditional music of their region -- rumba, bembé, and son -- and work to master it. The youngest performers that day were Los Candelitos, who are between 7 and 11 years old. Also on this visit, the group grooved to the band Trio Acorde, who represent an innovative, progressive jazz element in Cuba. The full, rich, experiential day was topped-off with a feast at El Mirador, where delegates enjoyed the sweet, crisp sounds of one of Palma's home-grown Charanga groups, Las Estrellas de la Charanga.
On Thursday, December 26th, Rebecca Davis, representing Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, stepped into her position as group leader to carry out the official mission of the delegation: to exchange signatures on the official document establishing the Sister City relationship between Berkeley and Palm Soriano. This was done at a formal, all-afternoon ceremony with the delegates from Berkeley and representatives of Palma's Municipal Assembly.
Preceding the signing, the delegation gave an overview of Berkeley history for the assembly members. The program began when waters from Berkeley's Strawberry Creek and The San Francisco Bay were ceremoniously poured out to join the waters of Palma Soriano. Then everyone walked to the City Hall where the national anthem of Cuba was played, followed by the anthem of the United States. This was an ironic and somewhat uncomfortable moment for some of the delegates, who feel they represent the best of the USA but not necessarily the most flag-waving elements.
The ceremony was concluded with the exchange of gift baskets, handshakes, hugs, and kisses. Then the party moved outside to the plaza for jazz music, poetry, and dancing before attending a "Solemn Assembly," where people from the municipality were honored for their sacrifices, hard work, and participation. This is a monthly custom throughout Cuba to promote the dedication of her workers.
As night fell, the signing of the Sister City Agreement was celebrated with food, music, and more dancing at an outdoor stage near the sugar mill. Cubans danced with Yankees and one could hardly see the difference. This is at the essence of the sister city relationship: interaction, developing understanding, and sharing ideas. On the one hand, it is an official relationship, seen as important diplomacy. On the other hand, it is a celebration of our cultures coming together. All of this can help to end the aggression toward Cuba from the US, and possibly serve to undo social injustices and bring about a solution for dealing with oppression at home.
Now the Berkeley-Palma Soriano Friendship Association delegates are back in Palma's sister city, synthesizing and disseminating the lessons learned. They join the fight nationally to stop the war, free the Cuban Five, end the blockade, and locally work to educate the community about what Cuba has shown to be possible.
by Michael Page
edited by Sarah Davis
After months of planning, fundraising, attending meetings, and organizing, a delegation of the Berkeley-Palma Soriano Sister City Association made its first official visit to Cuba. On December 21, 2002, the delegate's twin-engine airplane touched down at Abél Santamaria Airport in Santiago de Cuba, starting a jam-packed adventure full of music, art, and new connections. A video recording of the arrival showed a diverse group of 25 delegates, some who were there for the first time and some who had been working toward solidarity with Cuba for decades.
For the next two weeks, the Berkeley visitors were escorted to a variety of casual and official events as guests of the town of Palma Soriano in the eastern province of Santiago. Tremendous effort and resources went into making the delegates feel welcome in this rural hamlet of 125,000. Hospitalities included a wonderful Christmas pig roast and feast in the campo with real Guajira music. Each day, the delegates were received with snacks and music by their hosts, who were eager to share their Cuban generosity. One doctor in Palma expressed his solidarity with the group by saying, "We and you (americanos) are confronting the same aggressor." The visit coincided with the "Week of Culture" in Palma and the auspicious presence of the delegation contributed to the significance of the week's events.
In addition to visiting Caribbean beaches and festive nightclubs, there were many opportunities for the delegates to visit places where their Cuban hosts could demonstrate advances made in education, health care, social, and cultural development. Such progress was evident at the site of the brand new School of Social Work in Santiago. This massive facility, adorned with exquisite art, possesses interesting architectural features of vista, light, and shadow. The group partook in an extended conversation with the director of the school about the mission and vision of social workers in Cuba. Their mission differs from ours, which operates under a capitalist system that puts profit before people. The delegates saw Cuba's motivation as more compassionate, a social system that cares for its citizens and their cultural development. This was reinforced in subsequent visits to other schools and clinics, including the Youth Computer Club in Palma, a solar-powered health clinic in Guamá, and the School for the Blind and Visually-Impaired in Santiago.
Another example of compassionate health care was witnessed at the Clinica de Medicina Tradicional in Palma. Here the delegates saw demonstrations of acupuncture and other alternative health practices. They were shown a Cuban device that uses a type of laser instead of acupuncture needles to stimulate the body's meridians. After sharing herb teas and healthy snacks, they saw a demonstration of movement, calisthenics, and breathing exercises performed by children with asthma and elders with joint problems. This visit ended in spontaneous singing of patriotic and uplifting songs from both sides of the blockade.
The next visit was to the Casa del Joven Creador. This artist's studio, a classic colonial structure with tall, shuttered, slender doors that open on to the street, is part of the Asociación Hermanos Saíz. Here, an ambitious group of young artists and musicians gather to develop their crafts. Some of the pieces currently being created in the Casa are sculptural, composed of earth-finds, folklore, fable, and incantation. The men and women in the collective Ennegro, are committed to artworks that preserve and serve culture and nature, which they see as intertwined. They have drafted intricate plans to plant and nurture an area of the River Caúto. At the same time they will honor their Franco-Haitian heritage in the creation of art and the performing of ceremonies in sacred groves.
Another outstanding visit was to the Casa de Cultura in Palma, a town brimming with musicians and known as the birthplace of Charanga. Here the delegation was treated to two groups of youth performers whose incredible sophistication and ability out-matched many adult performers. The group, called Los Yandis after the director, Amauris Yandis, combines salsa, rap, reggae and soul in their original music. They love and appreciate the traditional music of their region -- rumba, bembé, and son -- and work to master it. The youngest performers that day were Los Candelitos, who are between 7 and 11 years old. Also on this visit, the group grooved to the band Trio Acorde, who represent an innovative, progressive jazz element in Cuba. The full, rich, experiential day was topped-off with a feast at El Mirador, where delegates enjoyed the sweet, crisp sounds of one of Palma's home-grown Charanga groups, Las Estrellas de la Charanga.
On Thursday, December 26th, Rebecca Davis, representing Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, stepped into her position as group leader to carry out the official mission of the delegation: to exchange signatures on the official document establishing the Sister City relationship between Berkeley and Palm Soriano. This was done at a formal, all-afternoon ceremony with the delegates from Berkeley and representatives of Palma's Municipal Assembly.
Preceding the signing, the delegation gave an overview of Berkeley history for the assembly members. The program began when waters from Berkeley's Strawberry Creek and The San Francisco Bay were ceremoniously poured out to join the waters of Palma Soriano. Then everyone walked to the City Hall where the national anthem of Cuba was played, followed by the anthem of the United States. This was an ironic and somewhat uncomfortable moment for some of the delegates, who feel they represent the best of the USA but not necessarily the most flag-waving elements.
The ceremony was concluded with the exchange of gift baskets, handshakes, hugs, and kisses. Then the party moved outside to the plaza for jazz music, poetry, and dancing before attending a "Solemn Assembly," where people from the municipality were honored for their sacrifices, hard work, and participation. This is a monthly custom throughout Cuba to promote the dedication of her workers.
As night fell, the signing of the Sister City Agreement was celebrated with food, music, and more dancing at an outdoor stage near the sugar mill. Cubans danced with Yankees and one could hardly see the difference. This is at the essence of the sister city relationship: interaction, developing understanding, and sharing ideas. On the one hand, it is an official relationship, seen as important diplomacy. On the other hand, it is a celebration of our cultures coming together. All of this can help to end the aggression toward Cuba from the US, and possibly serve to undo social injustices and bring about a solution for dealing with oppression at home.
Now the Berkeley-Palma Soriano Friendship Association delegates are back in Palma's sister city, synthesizing and disseminating the lessons learned. They join the fight nationally to stop the war, free the Cuban Five, end the blockade, and locally work to educate the community about what Cuba has shown to be possible.