Cuban Intellectual Miguel Barnet Spoke in Italy About Culture and Patriotism

The renowned poet, narrator, essayist, and anthropologist spoke about the significance of this masterpiece, which revolutionized Hispano-American literature six decades ago and now boasts more than 90 editions worldwide, chronicling “the life of the last of the surviving maroons in America.”

The gathering, held the previous day at the Cuban Embassy in Rome, was attended by the island's respective Chiefs of Mission to Italy and the Holy See, Jorge Luis Cepero and Leyde Rodríguez, alongside members of the diplomatic corps, cultural figures, and representatives from solidarity groups and associations of Cuban residents in the country.

Barnet reflected on the opportunity he had six decades ago, at just 23 years old, to translate into literature the life of Esteban Montejo, a centenarian of African descent who was enslaved, broke his chains, became a maroon, and later fought for Cuba's freedom. Maroonage, he noted, “was the first cry of freedom, of emancipation, produced in the American continent in rebellion against the yoke of slavery, which also resulted in a spiritual liberation.”

Biography of a Runaway Slave has inspired symphonies, plays, documentaries, and even an opera, which was performed in this capital on May 17 and 20 as part of a tribute to the centenary of the birth of its composer, Germany's Hans Werner Henze—an event the Cuban writer attended as a guest of honor. This cycle at the Rome Opera House also included the piece La Pequeña Cubana, performed on May 15 and 21, which was inspired by Rachel’s Song (Canción de Rachel), another of Barnet's major novels.

During Monday's gathering, speeches were delivered by Cuban cultural promoters Ulises Mora and Irma Castillo, who reside in Italy. They are the founders of the Timbalaye Project in 1999, aimed at safeguarding their country's folkloric expressions, and the drivers behind the Rumba Route in Cuba and the African Legacy Heritage Objective (OPLA). Mora highlighted that the event took place on Africa Day, noting the relevance of the maroonage theme in Barnet's work, as “guarding the memory of those who resisted is not only an act of historical justice, it is recognizing the very heart of the Cuban nation.”

In the final portion of the event, the Cuban author, who also serves as a deputy in his country's National Assembly of People's Power, thanked the Italian people for their support against the criminal economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed for over 60 years by the U.S. government.

These pressures have escalated under the current administration of President Donald Trump, who added measures to block fuel imports into the country and leveled false accusations against Army General Raúl Castro, leader of the Cuban Revolution, among other officials.

“We are even being threatened with a military invasion, which does not frighten us because, although we are a peaceful people, we are not afraid of war, and if we must fight, we will fight,” Barnet reaffirmed.