Cuba comes to VSU

Valdosta State University's Center for International Programs (CIP) is sponsoring a series of lectures and films, beginning Jan. 17 and running through April 9, highlighting Cuba.

?Cuba in Context: Beyond the Political Divide? is the title of the series. The series? goal is to foster international awareness at VSU and in the Valdosta community through exposure to international themes. Each lecture and film is open to the public and the cost is free.

Several factors played into the decision to make Cuba the subject of the spring focus series. VSU is part of a grant, Georgia Cuban Relations in the 21st Century, which will bring Cuban scholars to the university.

Since 1977, with the exception of 2000, the CIP has sponsored a spring focus series highlighting a particular country or international issue. Cuba was also chosen due to the amount of publicity Cuba received during the Elian Gonzalez controversy.

A different guest speaker will give each lecture. Ms. Alina Ochoa and Dr. Miriam Rodriguez Bethancourt, two of the speakers, are Cubans who will be visiting Georgia as a part of the Georgia Cuban Relations in the 21st Century grant. Lecture dates and locations are listed below.

* Dr. Terry McCoy from the University of Florida will speak on ?United States-Cuban Relations: Will they ever change?? on Feb. 12 at 7:15 p.m. in the University Center Magnolia Room.
* Ms. Alina Ochoa from the Havana Office of Restoration will speak on ?The Restoration of Historic Havana? on Feb. 19, at 7:15 in the University Center Magnolia Room.
* Ms. Cristina Garcia, an author, will speak on ?Dreaming in Cuban? on March 2 at 7 p.m. in the University Center Magnolia Room. Her lecture is in Conjunction with the Women's Study Conference.
* Dr. Miriam Rodriguez Bethancourt from the University of Havana School of Journalism will speak on ?Journalism in Cuba? on April 2 at 7:15 in Powell Hall.
* Dr. Jose Alvarez from the University of Georgia will speak on ??Reel? Cuba: Revolutionary History through Film? on April 9 at 6:15 p.m. in the University Center Magnolia Room.


The films offered in the series are in conjunction with the Cinema International film series. The following films will be shown in the UC Theater:

* ?Buena Vista Social Club? will play on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.
* ?Missiles of October? will play on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.
* ?Guantanamera? will play on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.
* ?Portrait of Teresa? will play on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.
* Strawberries and Chocolate will play on March 13 at 7p.m.
* ?Transparent Women? will play on April 9 at 7:30 p.m.

A complete description of each film is available on the Web at http://www.valdosta.edu/oip/cine.htm.

Courses in history, modern and classical languages, political science and a perspectives are also offered in conjunction with the spring focus series.

For more information, contact the Center for International Programs at 229-333-7410.