Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite that country experiencing an island-wide blackout since last Friday.
Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.
Historian and genealogical researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while landscape architectural technician, Kodi Husbands, and assistant coordinator and researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centres.
They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.
Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.
It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in history. I’m actually a history teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”
Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation.
“It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.
“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.
It is also the second time for Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.
“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” she said.
Smith added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.
“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.”
(MFAFT)
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