In the 1990s, being "avant-garde" meant something valuable for many Cuban workers who still believed in the State's rhetoric and were convinced that the crisis in the country was due to the collapse of the socialist bloc.
Many people were confident that Cuba could overcome the difficult economic period and carve its own path in the world.
However, the Special Period exposed a country where the greatest aspiration of a worker was to receive a diploma, a handshake from some bureaucrat, and the right to buy a limited number of essential items such as clothing, shoes, or appliances in a state-run store.
One of the most surreal symbols of that era was the store "Fin de Siglo" and its departments dedicated to selling to avant-garde workers.
Cuban Vanguards at the Turn of the Century
Unions provided the best workers in the country with a voucher that allowed them to go to a selected store in their provinces and access a limited range of merchandise. Payments were made in the national currency, and despite the low quality of the goods, the prices were not exactly cheap.
There was a significant shortage in the country and unprecedented inflation. The frontline worker often ended up buying in those stores things that were neither to their liking nor their size, but they could not afford the luxury of missing the "opportunity," the "reward" provided by the government.
Among the shops for avant-gardes, perhaps the most well-known was "Fin de Siglo." There is a documentary of the same name (1992) where the process of incentivizing socialist workers was masterfully recorded by Madelin Waterlet and Simon Saleski.
The store Fin de Siglo is located on the Boulevard de San Rafael, at the corner of Águila, in Central Havana. It was founded in 1897 by Galician entrepreneurs settled in Cuba, and its fame was so significant that it became the inspiration for the Spanish department stores known worldwide as "El Corte Inglés."
The shopping center was nationalized in the 1960s, and during the Special Period it became an exclusive market for the vanguards, those "heroes of socialist labor" who, instead of accessing basic goods as a right, had to earn them as rewards for their obedience and sacrifice.
"Fin de Siglo" did not last many years with those services. Gradually, the devaluation of the Cuban peso became so significant that the supply disappeared from state-run stores.
The avant-garde began to be encouraged with Atec-Panda televisions, electric pots, or vacations in hotels, paid for in national currency but at steep prices.
The Cuban Avant-Gardes in the New Century
What was once seen as a "privilege" in the 90s is of no concern to anyone today. Who wants to be at the forefront in 2025? For what reason? Thirty years have passed, and Cuba is worse off than during the Special Period.
In a crumbling country, impoverished and with a dollarized economy, no one wants to work with the State anymore, nor be at the forefront, nor run businesses, nor commit to socialist illusions. The focus of Cubans is on obtaining dollars to spend on food and survive.
Social recognition has evaporated along with any hope that individual effort means anything in a system that rewards discipline and resignation, rather than talent or productivity.
People no longer compete for diplomas or medals; instead, they're striving to leave the country, to get someone to send them a recharge, pay for a plane ticket, or send them a food package from abroad.
No one wants to pay the Union, nor is anyone excited about being the "employee of the month" because the years go by and everything remains the same. People are tired of the crumbs from the State.
The surreal aspect of the Cuban regime has been its macabre way of turning basic rights into consolation trophies for the workers. Clothes, shoes, appliances... things that should be accessible to everyone, transformed into ridiculous rewards for those who tried to advance the country.
In Cuba, being at the forefront has never been a privilege. It serves as a reminder of how little the government is willing to give in exchange for everything they demand from you, for everything they take away, for the life they have stolen from you.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Vanguard in Cuba and the Current Economic Situation
What did it mean to be avant-garde in Cuba during the Special Period?
Being at the forefront in Cuba during the Special Period was a recognition for outstanding workers, allowing them to access certain basic goods through state stores. This "privilege" consisted of being able to purchase essential items such as clothing and shoes, often of questionable quality and in limited quantities.
How has the perception of being at the forefront in Cuba changed in 2025?
In 2025, being at the forefront has lost relevance and appeal for Cubans, as social recognition and the associated benefits are insignificant. No one wants to work with the State or participate in a system that rewards resignation instead of talent or effort.
What is the impact of dollarization on Cuban society?
The dollarization in Cuba has deepened economic inequalities, as a large part of the population does not have access to foreign currencies. This excludes many Cubans from being able to shop in stores that accept freely convertible currency (MLC), widening the gap between those who have access to the dollar and those who do not.
What responsibility does the Cuban government have in the current economic situation?
The Cuban government has been criticized for its inability to manage the economy, which has led to a profound crisis and an increase in poverty. Recent economic measures, such as dollarization and the removal of subsidies, have been seen as desperate attempts to capture foreign currency without providing real solutions to the population's problems.
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