Lis Cuesta, wife of the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel, recently participated in the television program "Cuadrando la Caja", where she was introduced as a Doctor of Sciences and an expert in Cultural Economics.
Although her professional role has been as a coordinator for tourism-related events in Cuba, the president's wife took the opportunity to explain how these cultural actions impact the Cuban economy.
In the panel, he shared the space with Fernando León Jacomino, Deputy Minister of Culture, and Michel Torres Corona, host of the official program "Con Filo". None of the three guests are economists or entrepreneurs in the Cuban culture sector.
They had no data on the companies providing cultural services that contribute the most to the country's economy, nor could they exemplify the gains or losses in the various areas or expressions of culture. Additionally, they were unable to specify how much money the State allocates to subsidize development programs.
The host of the program, Marxlenin Pérez Valdés, selected three socialist officials for the expert panel, who lack sufficient experience to delve into such a complex realm as the economy of culture.
The debate revolved around how the regime subsidizes the majority of this activity, without evidence, without numbers, without charts. The viewer would be forced to trust the words of the communist officials.
The contribution of cultural events to the economy
Lis Cuesta stated that culture is an essential pillar for the country's economy and that cultural events are an important source of income. She insisted that "they do generate profits," but it remains a secret how much is collected and how the State allocates that money brought in by tourists for cultural reasons to the country.
He stated that the cultural sector has played a key role as an attraction for tourism, despite the fact that for decades Cuba was seen as a destination solely for sun and beach.
In his view, the current leadership of the country has a renewed interest in the relationship between Culture and Tourism. However, he refrained from mentioning the outstanding payments owed to artists and cultural entities by the tourism sector, a recurring issue in the cultural economy in Cuba.
The human factor in discourse and reality
One of the key points of his intervention was the "human factor," as he stated that it is central to cultural and economic development. He insisted that creators are pivotal in the economic model promoted by the government, but this assertion stands in stark contrast to the reality faced by artists and workers in the sector.
In practice, funding difficulties, irregular payment schedules, and censorship have distanced the true human element from the decision-making process in cultural development. Institutions dictate the agenda, and projects that do not align with the official discourse do not receive support and are often persecuted.
Luxury events and citizen access
Cuesta also defended the holding of luxury events organized by the government, stating that they "are part of the national identity and cannot be suspended."
He assured that there is an opinion matrix that targets those events on social media and linked the issue to festivities such as the Parrandas de Remedio, the Jornada Cucalambeana, or the Festival del Caribe, but none of those examples have sparked controversy on social media.
Lis Cuesta avoided mentioning the events that have been criticized by Cubans. They are characterized by their exclusivity, as they are aimed at a select audience and do not include popular or community participation.
Among them, "Le Diner en Blanc" and the music festivals in the Keys or the gastronomic events in Havana stand out. Their target audience is a privileged segment, while the majority of the population faces food shortages and difficult access to basic services.
A cultural economy in crisis
While Cuesta advocates for strengthening the cultural sector as an economic driver, the daily lives of artists and workers in the field reveal a landscape of uncertainty and lack of state support.
The economy of culture in Cuba is trapped between a lack of funding, bureaucracy, limited business vision, and government control, which hinders its real and sustainable development.
The speech by Lis Cuesta "Balancing the Books" did not address these structural issues, leaving unanswered questions for those living through the cultural crisis on the island, where, despite what the "experts" say, many people can no longer afford a ticket to the theater, as their salaries are insufficient to cover basic living expenses.
Frequently asked questions about Lis Cuesta's involvement in the Cuban cultural economy
Why is Lis Cuesta presented as an expert in Cultural Economics?
Lis Cuesta was introduced as an expert in Cultural Economics on a Cuban television program, despite her professional experience being primarily focused on coordinating tourism events. This designation has been criticized for her lack of experience in the economic and cultural fields, beyond her relationship with the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel.
What role do cultural events play in the Cuban economy according to Lis Cuesta?
Lis Cuesta argues that cultural events are an important source of income for the Cuban economy and are essential for attracting tourism. However, her speech does not address structural issues such as the lack of payment to artists and censorship, which impact the real development of the cultural sector in Cuba.
What is the current situation of the cultural economy in Cuba?
The economy of culture in Cuba faces a crisis of funding and government control, which hinders its sustainable development. Despite official rhetoric promoting culture as an economic engine, the lack of state support and censorship remain significant obstacles.
What contradictions exist in Lis Cuesta's discourse on culture?
Lis Cuesta's speech on the value of culture in the Cuban economy contrasts with the reality of exclusion and precariousness faced by artists. Furthermore, her advocacy for luxury events organized by the government does not address the criticisms regarding their exclusivity and the limited access for the Cuban people.
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