The cultural sector is full of women who, from diverse roles, defend our essence. One of them is Esther; let this interview serve as a tribute to all those women like her.

This is the story of a warrior woman. We see her arrive, small in stature and with a walking stick, perhaps unaware of the immense weight she carries on her shoulders. She is one of those vital figures at the Cucalambeana Festival, a series of discussions between literary workshops and other events; perhaps not the most publicized, but certainly one whose perseverance and dedication deserve recognition.

Esther Pérez Carrasco was born with a physical disability and was only able to walk at the age of nine. There, in her hometown of Jobabo, with the help of her siblings, she attended Otto Parellada Primary School. “They used to carry me to school. Later, I started using a cane. But my family never abandoned me in the face of adversity. My mother, for example, has always been an inspiration. I am also grateful to my teachers, to whom I owe a great deal of who I am,” she tells 26.

Despite the challenges of that period, she describes it as “wonderful.” Thus, with willpower as her guiding principle, she forged her own path through life. Today, she cherishes beautiful moments like those when every cyclist, cart driver, or truck driver who passed by on the way to her somewhat distant school—as she clarifies—would give her a ride, of course, once she began to walk on her own.

She recounts that it was there, in her childhood, that she “met” Martí and fell in love with his work. She even recited and dramatized some of his poems. That was probably the foundation for her later inclination towards a career in Sociocultural Studies. “I completed high school and pre-university studies on my own, away from my family, knowing I needed to become independent, although they would always be there for me,” she recounts.

Although she liked Law, her attachment to culture and her desire to work in communities ultimately prevailed. “I like to get to the ground level, understand the processes, see what I can contribute in each case… At university, everyone got along with me because I was very active in recreational and other activities,” she notes.

Esther is currently Head of the Literature Department at the Tomasa Varona Cultural Center, an institution where she has worked for over a decade. “I arrived in 2011 as a trainee, then I was assigned this job, and I've been doing it ever since. I was only away for about a year due to an injury, which forced me to take on a job closer to home, since I travel every day to work from kilometer 18.5 in San Antonio, Jobabo. During that time, to avoid the hassles of the daily commute to the city center, I worked as a Political Culture teacher at the school formerly known as ‘Melanio 1’,” she says.

Besides her admirable daily efforts in support of culture from the very heart of “Tomasa,” she also occasionally visits communities, talks with art instructors and enthusiasts, among other tasks, which she so wisely summarizes with the phrase: “That is my reason for being.”

Aware of the role of the Amateur Artists Movement (MAA in Spanish) for the sector and the society that benefits from its work, she encourages the creators in this community from various perspectives. “We give them ideas, and they happily embrace them; it’s a beautiful endeavor,” she summarizes. Pérez Carrasco also completed a master’s degree in Community Cultural Development, which enabled her to explore the significance of communication for the staff at her workplace.

On the other hand, Esther is a kind of queen bee for her family. “If a family member is going through a difficult time and needs advice, or has a project in mind, they always come to me; that’s something that satisfies me and motivates me to be better,” she says.

Although she has received some recognition in her career, she confesses that being useful is what truly makes her happy. And this is how she sums it up: “Once you discover the MAA, you can’t let go. No one should be held back by living with a disability; we can thrive. My advice is not to be discouraged; every day you can acquire knowledge and leave beautiful marks on your path and the paths of many others.”