CCNY helps celebrate 500th anniversary of Havana

The City College of New York, Hostos Community College and John Jay College of Criminal Justice in collaboration with the School of Visual Arts will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the founding of the city of Havana with “La Habana 500: A New York Salute to a Timeless City” from Nov. 12-15.

The program consists of a series of seminars, walking tours, a film screening and a concert and explores the arc and trajectory of the city’s fascinating story, identifying and exploring points where Cuban and United States history intersect.

“The role New York City has played in the history of the Caribbean cannot be understated, and our city remains a fundamental cornerstone of that ongoing shared story,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “It gives me great pride to know that CUNY is marking this milestone for the magnificent and resilient Havana. The programming of La Habana 500 is another example of CUNY’s vital role in our city’s rich cultural life.”

It will focus on four major themes: the founding and early history of La Habana; the rise of Cuban nationalism and the relationship between La Habana and New York City; the efforts to restore La Habana and establish a trajectory for future development; and the role of New York City, especially the Bronx, as an incubator of Cuban music.

The events at City College will include:

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Film Screening & Panel:
“Suite Habana” (2003)
Fernando Pérez, film director
Sonja E. Gandert, student, The Graduate Center, CUNY
Marta Gutman, professor, The City College of New York, CUNY
Jerry Carlson, professor, The City College of New York, CUNY
6 p.m., Sciame Auditorium (Room 107), Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, 141 Convent Avenue, Manhattan, The City College of New York

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Panel Discussion:
The Restoration of La Habana: Accomplishments, Projections
Miguel Coyula, former executive, Group for Integrated Development of the Capital and university lecturer
Guadalupe García, associate professor, Tulane University
Belmont Freeman, Belmont Freeman Architects, adjunct professor, Columbia University
Herman Portocarero, former Belgian ambassador to Cuba and published author
Marta Gutman, professor, The City College of New York, CUNY, panel moderator
6-8 p.m., Sciame Auditorium (Room 107), Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, 141 Convent Avenue, Manhattan, The City College of New York

To access the full program, click here, and for more information and to register for the walking tours, call: 718-518-4410, or email: Habana500@hostos.cuny.edu.

About The City College of New York
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