The Excellence of Arte por Excelencias

Arte por Excelencias magazine’s 21st issue was launched at Artex-run Casa de 18 Cultural Center, by Alexis Triana Hernández, executive editor, and Amaury del Valle, permanent correspondent of the Excelencias Group in Cuba.

Del Valle said that the publication is no longer a magazine, it has become a project of friends, Cuban people; and it is not focused on shedding light on certain artistic expression, but understanding art as interweaving in an effort to foster culture, the one that makes us feel both different and similar in the world.

Somos (We Are) project, made up of artist Alberto Lescay and his sons —painter Alejandro and musician Alberto—, was put out at Cuba Pavilion on Thursday December 18 and enhances the prestige of this issue. Journalist José Luis Estrada Betancourt said «it is not We Are the family, it’s We Are Cuban culture», and represents a great development for fine arts in this year that is coming to an end.

Within the framework of the 30th Havana Jazz Festival, which is being carried out these days and is reflected on the magazine’s pages through an article written by Joaquín Borges Triana, where he expresses that – just like in the Latin American Movie Festival – this event has shown the interest of the public in the varied offers both have put on the map. «It has to do with the constant rebirth spirit of our culture», he said.

On the other hand, Bárbara Rivero, editorial consultant, commented that the collective wants to have all artistic expressions taking one space, not on their own, but as a group; that’s a hard way to follow, but if roughness has been left behind, then the sacrifice has been worth it.

The 21st issue of Arte por Excelencias, whose cover has been designed by artist Alberto Sautúa, includes, among many other works, an interview with Russian dancer and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov, a dossier on Zaida del Río, a report on the fiftieth anniversary of Quino’s Mafalda, and a conversation with Descemer Bueno before receiving the Grammy Award in this spectacular 2014.

«We have tackled many topics today — Alexis Triana concluded— just like those Cubans that used to seat with Martí in New York, in Tampa, surrounded by the worst disbelief, the most hazardous situation, and shared war anecdotes while their children were singing next to the piano. We have tried to do something similar today: to keep on growing from hope».