EXPERTS SHARE CUBA TRAVELS WITH HAVANA-BOUND NSHS STUDENTS
Experts Share Cuba Travels with Havana-bound NSHS Students
Learn more about Cuba, its culture and history, during a special presentation this Thursday by Hofstra Professor Warren Bratter, co-founder and former director of Latin American Studies at Adelphi, and Dale Bratter (NSHS’63) who have travelled extensively throughout Cuba. They will be speaking to North Shore High School student musicians who, when the leave for Havana in February, will be among the first US students to visit Cuba since the recent thaw in diplomatic relations between our two countries. All are welcome to attend Thursday’spresentation at 7 p.m. in the NSHS theater. The event is free, but donations to offset tour costs are appreciated! Warren has made six trips to Cuba beginning in the 1970s and has seen dramatic changes. He went there as a translator for two American TV productions on Cuba; as a researcher on a project for a literary figure; as a college track and field coach whose athletes were invited to compete; and twice with his wife, Dale, for pure pleasure. The couple never stayed in hotels, but instead rented a car in Havana and hit the road, covering 1,300 miles and staying in private homes ("casas particulares") along the way. “Although we had a definite plan of where we wanted to go, we were always being pulled off the proverbial beaten path and into amazing adventures and meeting the most wonderful people,” Dale said. “For me, these were trips of a lifetime.” Dale reconnected with students and faculty at North Shore when she performed in the Viking Masquers 50th Anniversary Gala, a 2013 concert sponsored by Arts Angels. Upon learning that North Shore students would be visiting Cuba, she and Warren graciously agreed to share their experiences with the students and their chaperones and others intersted in this extraordinary tour. Please join us for their informative presentation! Warren Bratter has been a university professor of Spanish language and Latin American literature for 43 years. For 20+ years he was a tenured professor at Adelphi University where he was a co-founder and Director of Latin American Studies.Following early retirement at Adelphi in 1999, he joined the Romance Languages Department at Hofstra University where he continues to teach Spanish. He has made six trips to Cuba beginning in the 1970s, and has seen dramatic changes. He has been there as a translator for two American TV productions on Cuba; as a researcher on a project about a Cuban writer; and as a college track and field coach whose athletes were invited to compete. The last two trips, with his wife, were for pure pleasure. Dale Bratter was a founding member of the Viking Masquers and performed in the 2013 Viking Masquers 50th Anniversary Gala on the NSHS stage. Dale said that her years of studying Spanish at North Shore gave her a wonderful foundation for being able to travel comfortably in Spanish speaking countries. She has worked her entire professional life with non-profit organizations serving women and children with HIV and AIDS, as well as victims of domestic violence, and women with drug and alcohol addiction. Traveling by themselves in Cuba in 2010 and 2012, Dale and Warren rented cars in Havana and covered over 1,300 miles each trip. They never stayed in hotels, but instead, in private homes called "casas particulares," something like B&Bs or Airbnb accommodations. This allowed them unique opportunities to appreciate Cuban reality from the inside, and to make lasting friendships. For their presentation on Thursday evening, Dale and Warren will explore Cuban history, some current social and political conditions, as well as share many personal anecdotal experiences through photos and short videos. Afterwards, they'll be happy to answer any questions. North Shore Arts Angels has more information about the tour and how you can support it at: www.northshoreartsangels.org |
|
