The Las Tunas branch of the Asociación Hermanos Saíz (AHS) is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a program that includes visual and performing arts, literature, and music. The activities, which run until October 20, include tributes to local cultural personalities, gatherings with children and young people, and initiatives that bring artistic creation to places beyond the organization’s own headquarters.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- The commemorative events begin with an exhibition dedicated to Alfonso Silvestre, as part of the "Cien Silvestre también" initiative (A Hundred Silvestres, Too). This visual arts presentation kicks off the program and pays tribute to one of the most prominent actors born in this city. In the same vein, the branch pays homage to Alberto Estrada, recognized for his work in safeguarding the Las Tunas theatrical heritage and for his close ties to the Association.
Literature is featured through a recital showcasing young writers from the organization. The event offers an opportunity to share the work of its members, with a particular emphasis on achievements in poetry. It also brings together creators at different stages of their careers, providing the public with a glimpse into the literary voices currently emerging and developing within the region.
The music component features a concert by Jesús Pérez, vice president of the branch. The repertoire includes songs by current members as well as artists who were part of the AHS in the past, a gathering conceived as a tribute to those who have contributed to its history. This initiative bridges generations, serving as a reminder that the life of a cultural organization is built upon the experiences, works, and connections that endure long after each era has passed.
The program also sets aside a day for children through the Tony Borrego Project, which hosts monthly gatherings and will dedicate this particular edition to young audiences. The initiative reaches the República de Chile semi-boarding school, featuring the participation of Raúl Leyva, Ana Margarita Arada Clavería, and Lázaro Cecilio Rojas Pérez, representing the performing arts. This visit brings artistic interest into the school environment, creating a space for interaction with the children.
Extending the celebrations until October 20th allows for the inclusion of additional activities. A concert is planned for that day at the IPVCE (Vocational Institute of Exact Sciences), designed to connect the organization with younger audiences, a focus that the local branch aims to strengthen. The "Luna Creciente" (Crescent Moon) gathering—typically held on the third Friday of every month—has also been added to the schedule, moved up to coincide with the anniversary events.
While each art expression will have its own stage, the entire program is guided by a clear purpose: the branch seeks to keep its creative spaces active and expand the reach of its offerings. For Ana Margarita Arada Clavería, the organization’s provincial head, this effort is especially vital given the current, complex climate for cultural life.
"The fundamental challenge facing the association nationwide —and for us locally, in particular— is to continue creating," she stated. She linked this responsibility to the need to step outside the organization’s headquarters and reach audiences who, because of the demands of daily life, may not always have time to engage with art. This underscores the importance she places on community-based work and school initiatives.
In her view, community engagement is one of the key strengths of the Las Tunas branch. Rather than relying solely on one-off events, the organization strives to maintain a consistent, ongoing presence in these spaces. This goal requires both continuity and the ability to tailor activities to the specific needs of each audience, ensuring that engagement with the community becomes an integral part of the creators' regular work.
Arada Clavería also highlighted the continued existence of events unique to the province. Unlike other branches that boast large, well-established cultural events, the experience in Las Tunas is rooted in the careful maintenance and reinvention of its spaces, adapted to the possibilities of the territory. Sustaining them requires effort and collaboration, as their development also depends on material conditions and ties with other institutions.
Four decades after the founding of the AHS, the celebration in Las Tunas brings together both its history and its ongoing legacy. Tributes honor those who contribute to local culture, while activities aimed at children and young people extend this work to new generations. The anniversary thus offers an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and to reaffirm a commitment to creative work —even when circumstances impose limitations.
The event will conclude on October 20 with initiatives designed to expand engagement between artists and the audiences. The ongoing challenge will be to ensure that this commemorative activity continues within the branch’s daily work, through the preservation of its spaces and its capacity to support those who find in art a form of expression and social participation.
