Cultural FAQs for Canadians Interested in CubaThe Embassy of Canada in Cuba seeks to promote Canadian culture and increase awareness of Canada among Cubans. To do this, we support a limited number of projects every year that link the two countries (please see the "News and Events" section of this website), and offer what assistance and suggestions we can to the projects that we cannot support. This list of FAQs may help your project by giving you some basic advice and pointing you to the Cuban organization most likely to be able to help you further. Q. How do I obtain a visa to visit Cuba?
Q. How do I show my visual art or photography in Cuba?
Q. How do I or my group perform music, dance or theatre in Cuba?
Q. How do I tell Cubans about my cultural event/project/festival/course in Canada?
Q. I have invited a Cuban to a cultural event in Canada. How do I get help from the embassy to ensure that he or she gets a visa quickly?
Q. How do I make a donation to Cuba?
Q. How do I find an internship in Cuba?
Q. How do I study in Cuba?
Q. How do I interview or photograph President Castro?
Q. Can I have a list of Canadian companies doing business in Cuba? Q. How do I obtain a visa to visit Cuba?
A. For questions about documentation and visa requirements, please contact the Cuban Embassy in Canada:
Address: 388 Main St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1S 1E3
Telephone: (613) 563-0141, Fax: (613) 563-0068
E-mail: cuba@embacuba.ca or cubanembassy@canada.com
Website: www.embacuba.ca
Office hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm Q. How do I show my visual art or photography in Cuba?
A. Building artistic partnerships with Cuban artists and organizations can be extremely rewarding. Havana and other cities have several venues that show travelling art exhibitions, all of which can be reached through the Centre for the Development of Visual Arts (Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales). The most appropriate contact there is Ms. Yissú Pedraza, Specialist, International Relations Department. Telephone: (+537) 862-3533 and 862-9295
Address: San Ignacio No. 352, Habana Vieja, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: avisual@cubarte.cult.cu Most Canadians who successfully promote artistic projects in Cuba embark upon it as a long-term process, and find that they have to visit Cuba at least once (and in many cases more often) in order to build the relationships with Cuban partners that make the project a success. You may also find it useful to investigate Canadian sources of financial support. More information is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Arts and Cultural Industries division, the Canada Council, or your provincial arts council. Regrettably, the Canadian embassy does not have the human resources to help you make these initial contacts or establish the parameters of your project. However, in some cases we are able to offer some support in the later stages of a project, for instance help with publicity or very modest financial assistance. We receive many more project proposals than we can act upon, however, and therefore we must choose among them carefully. All other things equal we are more likely to support group projects, and we give strong priority to projects that give insight into Canadian culture. (See the "About Canada" section of this website for information on aspects of Canada that we are currently showcasing in Cuba.) It is worth adding that many successful projects have taken place with no assistance at all from the embassy. The following is a partial list of exhibition spaces in Havana: Centre for the Development of Visual Arts (Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales)
Contact: Ms. Yissú Pedraza, Specialist, International Relations Department
Telephone: (+537) 862-3533 and 862-9295.
Address: San Ignacio No. 352, Habana Vieja, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: avisual@cubarte.cult.cu Fototeca de Cuba
Contact: Ms. Claris Rodriguez, Specialist
Telephone: (+537) 862-2530 and 861-7741
Address: Mercaderes No. 307, esquina a Teniente Rey, Habana Vieja, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: fototeca@cubarte.cult.cu International Press Centre (Centro de Prensa Internacional)
Contact: Ms. Sandra de Nevis, Specialist, International Relations Department
Telephone: (+537) 832-0526 to 28
Address: Calle 23, No. 152, esquina a O, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: cpi@cpi.minrex.gov.cu Galería "Habana"
Contacts: Ms. Daris Vázquez or Ms. Graciela Angelo, Specialists
Telephone: (+537) 832-7101
Address: Línea No. 460, e/E y F, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: habana@cubarte.cult.cu Galería "Haydée Santamaría," Casa de las Americas
Address: Calle G esquina a 5ta.,Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 55-2706 Galería "La Acacia"
Contact: Mr. Manuel Fernández, Specialist
Telephone: (+537) 863-9364
Address: San José No. 114, e/Industria y Consulado, Centro Habana, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: lacacia@cubarte.cult.cu Galería "Diago"
Contact: Mr. Luis Pedro Miret, Director and Specialist
Telephone: (+537) 862-3577
Address: Muralla No. 107, esquina a San Ignacio, Habana Vieja, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: lacasona@cubarte.cult.cu Galería "La Madriguera"
Contact: Mr. Evelio Pérez Paula, Specialist
Telephone: (+537) 879-6247 and 879-8175
Address: Quinta de los Molinos, Av. Salvador Allende, Centro Habana, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: manosjov@cubarte.cult.cu Q. How do I or my group perform music, dance or theatre in Cuba?
A. Building artistic partnerships with Cuban artists and organizations can be extremely rewarding. Havana and other cities have numerous venues for music, dance and theatre performances, all of which can be reached through the National Scenic Arts Council (Consejo Nacional de las Artes Escénicas). The most appropriate contact there is Ms. Dayamí Amador, Specialist, International Relations Department. Telephone: (+537) 830-9871 and (+537) 830-4126
Fax: (+537) 853-5773
E-mail: cnae@min.cult.cu Most Canadians who successfully promote artistic projects in Cuba embark upon it as a long-term process, and find that they have to visit Cuba at least once (and in many cases more often) in order to build the relationships with Cuban partners that make the project a success. You may also find it useful to investigate Canadian sources of financial support. More information is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Arts and Cultural Industries division, the Canada Council, or your provincial arts council. Regrettably, the Canadian embassy does not have the human resources to help you make these initial contacts or establish the parameters of your project. However, in some cases we are able to offer some support in the later stages of a project, for instance help with publicity or very modest financial assistance. We receive many more project proposals than we can act upon, however, and therefore we must choose among them carefully. All other things equal we are more likely to support group projects, and we give strong priority to projects that give insight into Canadian culture. (See the "About Canada" section of this website for information on aspects of Canada that we are currently showcasing in Cuba.) It is worth adding that many successful projects have taken place with no assistance at all from the embassy. The following is a partial list of performance venues in Havana: Gran Teatro de La Habana "García Lorca"
Contact: Ms. Josefina Pereira, Specialist, International Relations Department
Telephone: (+537) 862-9473 and (+537) 861-3077 to 79
Address: Prado No. 458, esquina a San Rafael, Centro Habana, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: dirgth@cubarte.cult.cu Teatro "Amadeo Roldán"
Contact: Ms. Yolexis González, Specialist, International Relations Department
Telephone: (+537) 832-4521 and 22
Address: Calzada esquina a D, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: teatroar@cubarte.cult.cu Teatro Nacional
Contact: Ms. Odalys Villafranca, Public Affairs Specialist
Telephone: (+537) 870-4145 and (+537) 878-5590
Address: Paseo esquina a 39, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: tnc@cubarte.cult.cu Teatro "Mella"
Contact: Ms. Mirtea Pérez, Public Affairs Specialist
Telephone: (+537) 833-8696 and (+537) 830-4987
Address: Línea, entre A y B, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
E-mail: tmella@cubarte.cult.cu Teatro "América"
Contact: Mr. Jorge Musa, Specialist and Artistic Director
Telephone: (+537) 862-5416 and (+537) 862-5695
Address: Galiano No. 253, entre Neptuno y Concordia, Centro Habana, La Habana, Cuba Q. How do I tell Cubans about my cultural event/project/festival/course in Canada?
A. Your best bet for spreading the word in Cuba about an event you are organizing in Canada is to inform the official agency most closely linked to the type of event you are planning. If they judge the nature and timing of the event to be appropriate, they may pass on information about it to their members, or perhaps even suggest a participant themselves. Be sure to include information about any funding opportunities that can underwrite Cuban participation, as this can otherwise be a barrier to attendance by interested Cuban artists or performers. The following is a partial list of official agencies that may be able to help spread information about your event: Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Arts and Industry - ICAIC (Instituto Cubano de Arte e Industria Cinematográfico)
Contact: Ms. Susana Molina, International Relations Director
Address: Calle 23 No. 1155, entre 10 y 12, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 55-2856
Fax: (+537) 55-8811
E-mail: biglesias@icaic.inf.cu Cuban Institute of Radio and Television - ICRT (Instituto Cubano de Radio y Televisión)
Contact: Mr. Alfredo Pereira, Canada Desk, International Relations Department
Address: Calle 23 No. 55, entre N y O, 3er. Piso, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 870-1951 and 878-1819
Fax: (+537) 873-3408
E-mail: roberto@icrt.cu National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba - UNEAC (Unión Nacional de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba)
Contact: Mr. José Antonio Orta, International Relations Director
Address: Calle 17 No. 351, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 832-4535
Fax: (+537) 33-3158
E-mail: colaboracion@uneac.co.cu National Scenic Arts Council (Consejo Nacional de las Artes Escénicas)
Contact: Ms. Dayamí Amador, Specialist, International Relations Department
Telephone: (+537) 830-9871 and (+537) 830-4126
Fax: (+537) 853-5773
E-mail: cnae@min.cult.cu National Centre for Scenic Arts Research (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de las Artes Escénicas)
Address: Calle 6 No. 111, e/1ra. Y 3ra., Miramar, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 209-3351
E-mail: teatro@cubarte.cult.cu National Fine Arts Council (Consejo Nacional de las Artes Plásticas)
Address: 3ra. No. 1205, esquina a 12, Miramar, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 203-8581 and 209-6569
E-mail: cnap@cubarte.cult.cu Q. I have invited a Cuban to a cultural event in Canada. How do I get help from the embassy to ensure that he or she gets a visa quickly?
A. All Cubans need visas to travel to Canada. Application forms and other information are available at the embassy or in the "Visas and Immigration" section of this website. You should provide the person you or your organization are inviting with a letter of invitation giving as many details as possible, including the reason for travel, the anticipated travel date, the dates of the event, the dates of the invitee's participation in the event, and the length of stay. The embassy requires five business days (one week) to process requests for ordinary visitor visas, and ten business days (two weeks) for requests for stays of over 30 days. Late submission of documents is a perpetual problem. Please ensure that your Cuban invitee submits his or her documents with ample lead time -- due to work volumes, we are not normally able to make exceptions from the processing times listed above! Q. How do I make a donation to Cuba?
A. Most in-kind donations to Cuba must go through the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos - ICAP). Contact: Diamela Prado or Eva Doris Díaz (Canada Desk Officer)
Telephone: (+537) 55-2414
E-mail: dnoram@ceniai.inf.cu Large donations can also be coordinated with Mr. Raciel Proenza, Economic Counsellor at the Cuban Embassy in Canada:
Address: 388 Main St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1S 1E3
Telephone: (613) 563-0141, Fax: (613) 563-0068
E-mail: cuba@embacuba.ca or cubanembassy@canada.com
Website: www.embacuba.ca
Office hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm Inter-church donations can be coordinated through the Cuban Council of Churches (Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba).
Contact: Noemi Gorrín
Address: Calle 14 No. 304, e/ Av. 3ra y Av. 5ta, Miramar, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 204-1792 or (+537) 202-9336
E-mail: iglesias@enet.cu or noemi@enet.cu Donations of medical equipment can be coordinated through the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP).
Contact: Dr. Pedro Rodríguez-Fonseca, MINSAP
Address: Calzada No. 51, esq. 13, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 55-2555
E-mail: cooperac@infomed.sld.cu Most large medical donations from Canada are coordinated by Health Partners International of Canada, a Canadian non-governmental organization.
Contact: Mr. John Kelsall, President
Address: 4699 St. Charles Boulevard, Suite 220, Pierrefonds, Quebec, Canada, H9H 3C7
Telephone: (514) 696-3686 or (800) 627-1787
Fax: (514) 696-9158
E-Mail: jkelsall@hpicanada.ca
Website: www.hpicanada.ca Cash donations can be made through one of the many Canadian NGOs active in Cuba (please see the "Development Cooperation" section of this website), or through the Enterprise for Donations (Empresa para Donaciones - ESCO): Contact: Mr. Adolfo Soca
Telephone: (+537) 203-3129 and 203-5854 Finally, if you wish to make a cash donation to the Terry Fox Run in Cuba, please contact the Canadian Embassy. The Run supports important cancer research conducted at the Cuban National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology and approved by the Terry Fox Foundation in Canada. Unfortunately, we can only accept cash or US dollar cheques drawn on Cuban accounts.
Contact: Paul Gibbard
Address: Calle 30 No. 518, esq. 7ma, Miramar, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 204-2516
Fax: (+537) 204-2044
E-mail: havan@dfait-maeci.gc.ca Q. How do I find an internship in Cuba?
A. Some internships in Cuba are available through programs administered by the Canadian government. Please see CIDA's International Youth Internship Program, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's international youth programs page and Youth International Internship Program for more information. Other requests for internships in Cuba should go through the Cuban Embassy in Canada, asking them to contact the Cuban government ministry that corresponds with the field you are interested in. Address: 388 Main St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1S 1E3 Telephone: (613) 563-0141 Fax: (613) 563-0068 E-mail: cuba@embacuba.ca or cubanembassy@canada.com
Website: www.embacuba.ca
Office hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm Unfortunately, due to space limitations, the embassy cannot accept interns. Q. How do I study in Cuba?
A. The contact point for studies in Cuba depends on the level and field of study you are looking for. A list of some of the possibilities follows. For language study (i.e. Spanish) please contact one of the following two people:
Dr. Maria del Carmen Fernández, Director of International Relations
Instituto Superior Pedagógico "Enrique José Varona"
Address: Calle 108 No. 29E08, e/29E y 29F, Ciudad Escolar "Libertad", Marianao, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 260-0353
Fax: (+537) 260-7952
E-mail: mary@upejv.edu.cu
or:
Ms. Carmina Sáinz, Specialist
Post-Graduate Department, Universidad de La Habana
Address: Calle L esquina a San Lázaro (Colina Universitaria), Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 832-4245
Fax: (+537) 55-2192
E-mail: dpg@uh.cu For study in the humanities or social sciences, please contact:
Ms. Maritza Yip, Specialist
Universidad de La Habana
Address: Calle L esquina a San Lázaro (Colina Universitaria), Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 832-2757/2350
E-mail: maritzayip@yahoo.com For post-graduate study (i.e. Master's or Doctoral level), please contact:
Ms. Carmina Sáinz, Specialist
Post-Graduate Department, Universidad de La Habana
Address: Calle L esquina a San Lázaro (Colina Universitaria), Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 832-4245
Fax: (+537) 55-2192
E-mail: dpg@uh.cu For study of engineering, architecture or in a higher technological institute, please contact:
Mr. Julián Gutiérrez, Specialist
"José Antonio Echeverría" Higher Polytechnical Institute
Address: Central "Manuel Martínez Prieto," Marianao, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 260-2980
E-mail: profinv@tesla.ispjae.edu.cu For study of medicine or nursing, please contact:
Mr. Raúl Expósito, Specialist
"Victoria de Girón" Institute of Higher Medical Sciences
Address: Calle 146 entre 25 y 31, Marianao, La Habana, Cuba
Telephone: (+537) 202-0974
Fax: (+537) 33-6857
E-mail: ebasco@infomed.sld.cu Q. How do I interview or photograph President Castro?
A. All requests for interviews with President Castro must go through the International Press Centre in Havana. We regret that the embassy cannot assist with this type of inquiry. The Canada Desk Officer at the International Press Centre is Amado Riol, and his contact information is as follows: Telephone: (+537) 832-0526 to 28 and (+537) 832-6755
Fax: (537) 33-3836
E-mail: cpi@cpi.minrex.gov.cu Q. Can I have a list of Canadian companies doing business in Cuba?
A. The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service treats all information about its clients as confidential. As a result, regrettably, the Canadian Embassy cannot disclose any information about Canadian companies operating in Cuba.
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