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The Cuban Art Factory (FAC) publicly responded this Thursday to the accusations of racial discrimination that were circulated by the Cuban Institute of Music (ICM) and official media of the regime, describing them as “false, disgraceful, and defamatory.”
In a statement released on its Facebook page, the cultural center led by musician X Alfonso asserted that the authorities' statements are part of an “official campaign” aimed at discrediting an independent space that has promoted inclusion and diversity in Cuba for over a decade.
These statements are false, shameful, and particularly painful for a project that, since its inception, has been characterized by promoting inclusion, diversity, and unity through art, stated the FAC in its declaration.
He added that the attack comes from “the same officials who have repeatedly attempted to censor our proposals.”
The statement emphasizes that the discredit campaign "intensified" after FAC decided to honor Celia Cruz on the occasion of her centennial birthday, an event that —as reported— was censored by cultural authorities.
"Instead of supporting this well-deserved tribute to one of our most iconic figures, they chose to censor it at the last minute", the text explains.
FAC also emphasized its economic and artistic independence: “The financial self-sustainability of FAC depends exclusively on the efforts of its members and the collaboration of private actors; no institution covers our operating expenses.”
He added that all the equipment, furniture, and resources of the space have been acquired by its director using personal funds and without any assistance from the State.
The center also recalled its social and community work, including its support following the tornado that struck Havana in 2019, its role as a vaccination center during the pandemic, and its contribution to the repair of local infrastructure.
"Our commitment to the community is not rhetorical; it is real and ongoing", stated the FAC.
FAC is and will continue to be a space for free creation, an inclusive space for meeting and peace,” concludes the statement, which also calls for dialogue and unity in the face of attempts at censorship.
The FAC publication received a wide range of supportive comments from artists, intellectuals, and citizens, who deemed the official attack on one of the few independent cultural spaces still existing on the island to be unjust.
The user Yhan Manuel Márquez Reyes wrote: “They have already reached the point of being afraid of culture. If they really become a thorn in the side, they will wage war against them to shut them down. A lot of intelligence and tact is needed, because in the end, you are either with them or against them.”
On her part, Yordanka Paredes stated that “state institutions took advantage of this complaint to attack FAC, which is hypocritical, as it has been the same State that has systematically discriminated against Cubans.”
He added that FAC should keep open channels of dialogue to prevent future manipulations and urged to "not destroy one of the few free cultural spaces in the country."
The musicologist Rosa Marquetti also expressed her solidarity with the project: “I express my support for FAC, for the Alfonso family, and for all those harmed by discriminatory acts. I reject the campaigns and vendettas that aim to undermine freedom of creation in the arts.”
Other users, such as Yanetsis Sarduy and Yusleidis Cepero, agreed that the controversy, following an incident where a young man was prevented from entering the institution because the guard mistook him for a thief, has been used to tarnish the project's reputation.
“It’s sad, but that’s how life works: you do a thousand things right and one wrong, and only that will be remembered,” commented Cepero. “FAC is one of the few places with a healthy and diverse environment. What would we gain if it closed? Nothing,” he added.
The controversy between the FAC and the regime's institutions arises after a young man, Alejandro Bridón Mesa, claimed he was prevented from entering the venue under the pretext of "the right of admission."
Although X Alfonso himself apologized to the affected party and clarified that it was a misunderstanding, the case was used by the Ministry of Culture to make accusations of "discrimination" against the cultural center.
Analysts and users on social networks believe that the conflict reflects the growing tension between independent cultural spaces and the institutional apparatus of the Cuban regime, which has sought to maintain control over artistic expressions and projects that operate autonomously.
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