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Havana

‘What’s the greatest knowledge a person can have? Know thyself’: Morgan State University hosts banned book symposium in Cuba

The World's Global Classroom

The history of book bans in the US goes back to 1637 but has recently increased dramatically, nearly 200% during the 2023-24 school year. This rise is driven by conservative policies claiming many books have themes that go “against” American history. But are these books really problematic? The World’s Lex Weaver shares her experience attending a banned book symposium hosted by Morgan State University in Havana, Cuba, where authors and historians discussed their worries about the future of education.

Ten years after Washington’s historic deal with Havana, Cuba remains adrift

Global Politics
Singer Gloria Estefan performs at the Statue of Liberty Museum opening celebration at Battery Park, in New York, May 15, 2019.

Gloria Estefan is set to be the first Hispanic woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

Music
man and woman by border

What’s behind the exodus of Cubans?

Migration
Namibia Flores was the only female boxer in Cuba for years. She has been training for almost two decades, with the dream of representing Cuba at the Olympics. 

Cuba to allow women boxers to compete after decades of restrictions

Sports
Anti-government protesters march in Havana, Cuba to protest against ongoing food shortages and high prices of foodstuffs

‘Obliged to exile’: Cuban activist Tania Bruguera on the plight of artist Hamlet Lavastida

Justice

After spending time in a maximum security prison in Havana, artist and activist Hamlet Lavastida has been exiled to Poland by Cuba’s government. Tania Bruguera, a senior lecturer in media and performance at Harvard University, joined The World’s host Marco Werman to discuss the plight of Cuban artists.

A black and white photo of Buena Vista Social Club members Ibrahim Ferrer, Eliades Ochoa, Comapy Segundo and Puntillita Licea.

25 years later, the Buena Vista Social Club still connects the world through old-school mambo

Music

Recorded in Havana, Cuba, 25 years ago, the Buena Vista Social Club drew together many older musicians and gave their careers a second life. The album quickly became an international sensation.

In this Oct. 3, 2017, file photo, tourists ride classic convertible cars on the Malecon beside the United States Embassy in Havana, Cuba. 

Havana syndrome is ‘an act of war and we have to stop it’ former CIA agent says

Conflict

Retired CIA senior intelligence officer Marc Polymeropoulos has been quite outspoken about Havana syndrome, having experienced many of the symptoms himself. He joins The World’s Marco Werman to talk about what the US should be doing to address it.

Eusebio Torres waits to be vaccinated as a nurse prepares the dose of the Cuban Abdala COVID-19 vaccine at the Gustavo Aldereguia hospital in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Sunday, May 30, 2021.

Cuba’s promise of a homegrown COVID-19 vaccine  

COVID-19

Cuba, a world leader in medicine, is the first in Latin America to develop its own COVID-19 vaccine.

A woman wearing a purple shirt is shown with her hands out stretched and shouting among a large crowd of people.

Protesters in Cuba are calling for the ‘end of the communist state,’ historian says

Protest

Lillian Guerra, who writes extensively on the politics of Cuba, has been following the protests from her home in Gainesville, Florida. She joined The World’s host Marco Werman to talk about the significance of protests over the weekend.