Havana's private gardens are a model of sustainable living and a glimpse into the realities of Cuban life.

In Copenhagen they are debating how to end deforestation, but in Cuba's Pinar del Río they were replanting 50 years ago, creating lush, unspoilt valleys.

Birds and butterflies are swooping above us and, as our taxi reaches the summit of this forest road just 40 minutes from the heat and noise of Havana, the view opens to an undulating landscape painted every shade of green. Before Castro these hills were dusty yellow and brown scrub.

Creators of more than 10 countries are the protagonists of Casa Tomada or the 2nd Meeting of Young Artists and Writers of Latin America and the Caribbean, that began last Tuesday at Casa de las Americas until December 18th.

"We liked the house because it was spacious and kept the old memories of our great-grandparents, paternal grandfather, our parents and all children." Excerpt from the story "Casa Tomada" by Julio Cortazar.

To know how to read is to know how to walk.
To know how to write is to know how to move forward
José Martí

The Cuban actor Jorge Perugorria could revive the last passions and adventures of a mature Hemingway, thanks to a film that will allow Perrugoria to play him on the silver screen.

The role of the American writer and journalist burdened with the feeling of losing his literary faculties in the last days of his life was handed him on a platter by the German producer Ernesto Loh, who did not doubt at any moment to choose him even before deciding who will direct the film.

A Yoruba proverb states: "The lie may run for a year, the truth will catch up with it one day".

Although the most intolerant political circles and most powerful mass media have tried to impose a distorted image of contemporary Cuban society on American public opinion for a long time, one way or another, in the end, reality leads the way.

Contemporary Dance professor, dancer and director Lorna Burdsall has been granted the Cuban Arts Teaching Prize 2010 in recognition of her merits and life dedicated to the training and formation of dancers and artists in Cuba. Now in her 80's, she has mentored and inspired generations of dancers.

Burdsall was born in the United States and trained and took classes at Juilliard's Dance Division, among other dance centers. Once the Cuban Revolution triumphed, the development of arts and culture became a priority and Burdsall taught at the National Dance School and was a founding member of Conjunto Nacional de Danza Moderna (National Modern Dance Ensemble), which she eventually directed.

The Brazilian film industry has reaffirmed its power at Havana's New Latin American Film Festival by taking home 9 awards. Two of them went to Marcelo Gomes' film "I travel because I need it; I come back because I love you".

This movie was awarded the third prize and also the prize for the best sound track performed by musicians Ricardo Cruz y Waldier Xavier.

From the heat of Cuba comes the heart of dance

Cuba is today producing some of the world's finest contemporary and ballet dancers who are performing around the globe, setting standards of excellence both in terms of teachers and as performers. Leading the field is the unique and exciting Danza Contemporanea de Cuba who this year celebrate an outstanding 50 years of excellence with their first ever major UK tour.

Cuban diva Omara Portuondo and renowned pianist Chucho Valdés won top awards during the 10th Latin Grammy Awards ceremony held at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Omara, who is also known as the diva of the Buena Vista Social Club, won the award for Best Contemporary Tropical Album for her recording ‘Gracias' (Thank You), which honored her 60 years as a musician. ‘Gracias' recently won the top award at the Cubadisco 2009 International Music Fair held last May in Havana, along with the DVD ‘Aquí el que baila gana' by Los Van Van.

Win one of two pairs of free tickets to see Cuban jazz virtuoso Omar Puente perform at the Jazz Café in London, on 17 November.

Omar Puente was born in Santiago de Cuba in the early years of the revolution. He is proud of Cuba's commitment to education, but has also played his part in a music revolution in Britain, having lived and worked here for over 12 years, including performing at many CSC events. He lives in Bradford with his wife Debbie. He has just released his debut solo album and plays the Jazz Cafe, London 17 November. Omar talked to CubaSí magazine.

Cuban Culture Minister Abel Prieto addressed the 35th UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization) General Conference in Paris recently, where he said the only way the international organization could reach its objectives and goals would be by undertaking more solidarity-based policies, Prensa Latina reported.

On 20 October in Bayamo, Cuba, thousands of Cuban children, youngsters and adults sang once again their National Anthem, in the place where their ancestors did the same on October 20, 1868. This day is now celebrated as Cuba's National Day of Culture.

An optimistic view on Cuban culture was givrn recently in Paris by Cuban Culture minister Abel Prieto, who was heading a delegation from the island to the 35th General Conference of the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).

Prieto stressed that three hurricanes, the world economic crisis, and the US blockade would be more than enough reasons for devastation, except in Cuba -he said-, where culture finds a privileged space.