CAMAGÜEY. On the map of cultural experiences, journeys trace not only physical paths but also build bridges connecting stories, traditions, and emotions. This is the essence of the cultural exchange led by four Camagüey's citizens in Chile: Yunielkis Naranjo, a cultural promoter; troubadour Harold Díaz; and writers Yoandra Santana and Evelin Queipo.
From their first posts on social media, they invite us to join their journey. Through images and words, they guide us along unfamiliar streets and landscapes that somehow feel familiar. Each update becomes a testament to the dialogue between the familiar and the foreign, showing how our identities evolve when encountering new realities.
Yunielkis Naranjo, with the calm of someone who already knows these lands, returns to Chile as an old friend. His previous experience grants him a more measured, perhaps analytical, perspective on the cultural encounters he now shares. In contrast, Evelin Queipo and Harold Díaz bring the energy and wonder of their first trip outside Cuba. For them, every corner and every conversation is a discovery that resonates with the intensity of novelty.
Meanwhile, Yoandra Santana blends her recent stay in Mexico with memories of earlier trips to Italy and Greece. Her accumulated experiences allow her to focus on details others might overlook. Her posts offer a unique perspective on the world, balancing external observation with internal reflection, intertwining the essence of place with its impact on the temporary inhabitant.
The group recently experienced an earthquake in Chilean territory, an unexpected jolt that, while surprising, did not dampen their spirits or the purpose of their trip. They have assured everyone that they are safe.
MUSIC AS A MEETING POINT
For Harold Díaz, a troubadour, the experience has been deeply transformative. From day one, he felt the warmth of the Chilean people, who, in his words, “hold great affection for Cubans and our resilience against the blockade.” At the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center in San Bernardo, Harold performed in a concert alongside Chilean troubadour Aldo González, who paid tribute to Silvio Rodríguez. It was a moment of musical and emotional exchange: “I sang El Mayor, a Camagüeyan anthem evoking Ignacio Agramonte, and felt the audience understand that pride.”
In another concert in La Herradura, Coquimbo, Harold performed Son los sueños todavía by Gerardo Alfonso at the audience's request, dedicating it to Che Guevara. These moments transcend music, building bridges of mutual understanding between two peoples united by shared struggles and dreams. Social media has allowed us to witness these performances, warm applause, and even a spontaneous rendition of Cuba’s national anthem by the Chilean audience. “Today, we have made new but very strong friendships,” Harold shares.
HEADING INTO THE HEART OF MEMORY
Evelin Queipo has found this journey profoundly emotional. “The General Cemetery of Santiago, with the graves of Víctor Jara and Violeta Parra, and the Memorial to the Disappeared, were places that shook my heart.” She describes Víctor Jara’s flower-covered grave as a space for meditation and cultural resistance. Most moving, however, was the wall of names of political detainees who disappeared, listed alphabetically. “You feel like the wall is closing in, crushing your conscience,” she reflected, deeply moved by the stories of violence no society should ever repeat.
Evelin shared images of these sites on social media, paired with words inviting reflection on peace and justice. Her posts illustrate how art and memory can serve as vehicles for transformation, expressed poignantly through her poetry.
STORIES BETWEEN BOOKS AND LANDSCAPES
Writer and playwright Yoandra Santana has found in Chile a kaleidoscope of experiences blending literature, history, and landscape. She was photographed playing a tumbadora at a cultural event, merging Caribbean rhythms with Andean music. She donated her books to the LOM Editorial in Santiago and participated in reading sessions with poets like Luis E. Aguilera, with whom she shared memories of his visit to Camagüey.
Among her most touching posts were those from her visit to Gabriela Mistral’s former home in La Serena. Being there felt like stepping into the heart of Mistral’s work, as though Yoandra herself was voicing the poet’s spirit.
CAMAGÜEY IN CHILE
Yunielkis Naranjo, the group’s cultural promoter, has served as a living bridge between the two territories. From the heights of Lomas Lo Aguirre in Pudahuel, he shared a panoramic view of Santiago at dusk. But his most emotional moment came when he encountered a tinajón (large clay jar) in La Serena: “It’s as if Camagüey followed us here.”
In TV interviews and discussions, Yunielkis has highlighted Camagüey’s literary and community projects, such as Golpe a Golpe and Café Literario La Comarca, demonstrating how cultural work transcends borders.
His attention to detail—like the gleam of lemon trees and street bouquets—reveals a sensitivity that connects his artistic and intellectual perspective to his surroundings. The delegation also donated books by Nicolás Guillén and other Cuban authors to Chilean libraries, strengthening cultural ties between the two nations. On social media, Yunielkis celebrates the creation of new friendships and future collaborations, expanding the bridge between Cuba and Chile.
A TRAVEL DIARY
Through social media, these four artists have allowed us to accompany them on their journey. We’ve climbed the Monumental Lighthouse in La Serena with them, admired the horizon, and felt the wind carrying stories of centuries past. We’ve walked through the streets of Diaguitas, attended children’s events in Algarrobito, and almost tasted the desserts Evelin prepared. Culture is shared with affection there.
Among the most enriching experiences was their visit to the Archaeological Museum of La Serena, where stones tell millennia-old stories from the earth’s depths. They explored popular neighborhoods, browsed bookstores, admired vibrant street bouquets, and discovered that pumpkins are called zapayo in Chile. They adjusted to the two-hour time difference to participate in reading club meetings and enjoyed a traditional chorrillada, which left a delightful taste on their shared table.
A symbolic moment led them to the Novedades Theater, where, upon learning of a nearby monument to José Martí, they immediately paid tribute to Cuba’s National Hero. As members of the Community Living Culture Network, they reinforce their essence: connecting with people, integrating into their dynamics, and embracing the value of community, just as they do in their homeland.
Without a doubt, this cultural exchange transforms us too. From afar, we’ve seen, listened, and reflected on what it means to build bridges. Evelin’s words encapsulate the spirit of this journey: “Who would have thought I’d be standing in the sun, wearing a coat.” This apparent contradiction—of warmth and cold, distance and closeness—defines travel: discovering what lies beyond while rediscovering what we’ve always carried within.
Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez