Cuban Artists Boycott Havana Biennial Over Government Persecution
An open letter has been signed by Tania Bruguera, Coco Fusco, and Hamlet Lavastida, calling for a boycott of the Havana Biennial, which is set to commence on 12 November, curated by Nelson Ramirez de Arellano. This protest highlights the Cuban government’s imprisonment of artists, including Lavastida, who was released in September after three months in custody. Over 500 individuals arrested during the protests on July 11 remain incarcerated. Criticizing the biennial as "another piece of propaganda," Bruguera was under house arrest in July. Notable international figures, such as Sam Durant and curators Helen Molesworth, Claire Bishop, and Luis Pérez-Oramas, have also withdrawn their support. The biennial, themed 'Futuro y Contemporaneidad,' will last six months, showcasing Cuban artists under the constraints of Decree 349.
Key facts
- Tania Bruguera, Coco Fusco, and Hamlet Lavastida signed an open letter calling for a boycott of the Havana Biennial.
- The biennial is scheduled to open on 12 November under the directorship of Nelson Ramirez de Arellano.
- Hamlet Lavastida was released in September after three months in detention at Villa Marista prison in Havana.
- Over five hundred Cubans arrested during July 11 protests remain in jail, including several minors.
- Tania Bruguera was placed under house arrest in July and left for America in August.
- International figures like Sam Durant, Helen Molesworth, Claire Bishop, and Luis Pérez-Oramas have vowed not to participate.
- Decree 349, introduced in 2018, imposes stringent restrictions on the arts in Cuba.
- The European Parliament and United Nations have condemned the arrest and harassment of Cuban artists.
Entities
Artists
- Tania Bruguera
- Coco Fusco
- Hamlet Lavastida
- Nelson Ramirez de Arellano
- Sam Durant
- Hannah Arendt
Institutions
- Havana Biennial
- Fototeca de Cuba
- Oslo Freedom Forum
- European Parliament
- United Nations
Locations
- Havana
- Cuba
- America
- Revolution Square