Artists in the memory: Havana, a magnet for art

To reveal the profile of some of those famous guests who graced the bustling metropolis with their presence, is born a fascinating text: Artists in the memory

Havana is a mythical scenario modelled by the fable. Years of history marked its streets and buildings, the charm of its people and the very essence of a local who was gradually feeling cosmopolitan by virtue of the many visitors who were taken in by their territory of origin: Havana.

To reveal the profile of some of those famous guests who graced the bustling metropolis with their presence, gave birth to a fascinating text: Artists in memory, authored by Leonardo Depestre Caton and published by Editorial José Martí, Spyglass Collection.

Animated tales by the grace of the narrative of the author chronicles stays realized in the capital by celebrities linked to the world of radio, film or television; a trajectory that began after the arrival of the legendary American actress Gloria Swanson in February 1924, carries on to the recent visits to our country of music idols, like other Americans Beyonce and Jay-Z.

Depestre relates anecdotes, emphasizes facts and focuses on events. His writing, clean and direct, funnels on a sort of night scene presentations of many of those celebrities who found in our beautiful city a refuge and a launching pad for their careers. He also delineates the urban space as a place of confrontation to measure the quality of the performances. And the image of a cultured public capable of probing the stature of the great and then applaud them.

The reader will receive a discourse of memory evoking the Havana visit of actress and singer Sara Montiel; as much as the stay of Marlon Brando or singer Lucho Gatica, among others.

In the words of author at the presentation of his book he says that “(…) from the significant popularity enjoyed by most of the artists who visited us then and now are part of the memory (…) This is therefore a book give flight to the memories and set some data in your remembrance “.

Leonardo Depestre Catony, linguist, editor and translator is known for valuable studies related to the correct use of language and among other volumes published successfully is Considerations about the Cuban vocabulary (1985).