Visiones de Cuba: Storytelling, Photography and Dance

On Friday, October 10,  the campus came alive with the warmth, rhythm, and spirit of Cuba during “Visiones of Cuba: Storytelling, Photography, and Dance,” an event dedicated to celebrating the Cuban and Cuban American community and the students who brought their stories to life.

Organized by HOLA – Historia Oral de los Latinos y Archivo digital, the event honored the culmination of a meaningful oral history project. Students in the Spanish for Heritage Speakers classes spent the Spring semester connecting with members of the Cuban and Cuban American communities, conducting audio interviews that captured powerful stories of resilience, adaptation, success, and nostalgia.

Now, these voices and memories live on through the HOLA website, where they can be heard, shared, and celebrated — a growing archive that empowers the community while preserving its rich cultural legacy.

The event drew a crowd of more than 75 attendees, including students, interviewees and their families, the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Fatma Mili, faculty members, and the Chair of the Spanish and Latino Studies Department, Dr. Maria José García Vizcaíno, who is a steadfast supporter of events honoring Spanish-speaking communities.

Guests were welcomed into a space filled with vibrant photography by Thomas Franklin, whose exhibit featured stunning images captured during his trips to Cuba. Dr. Franklin also shared reflections on his experiences on the island, offering insight into the art, history, and humanity behind his photography.

Throughout the evening, attendees listened to excerpts of the recorded interviews — stories that inspired emotion, gratitude, and pride — and engaged in heartfelt conversations about culture, memory, and identity.

The celebration concluded on a joyful note with delicious Cuban food and an energetic Cha Cha Cha dance lesson led by Bernie Moran, which filled the room with laughter and nostalgia, bringing everyone together to the irresistible rhythms of the island.

Visiones of Cuba was more than an event — it was a celebration of storytelling, community, and connection, showcasing how student scholarship and community engagement can create bridges between generations and cultures.