Letra con Vida
Letra con Vida was a space for reflection and dialogue on the culture of health and the promotion of specialized literature, sponsored by the “Dulce María Loynaz” Cultural Center, of the Cuban Book Institute, which I had the opportunity to conceive, coordinate and driving for more than 5 years.
Every month we met, in what was the home of the Cuban poet and intellectual Dulce María Loynaz, with a panel of experts, her books and a diverse public that came freely to the place.
The “letter” of the texts took “life”, and in turn, this “invited” to openly discuss controversial issues of Cuban health and to take the books home, often autographed by their authors, among the most select of Cuban creation.
Many hugs and meetings took place in the garden of the writer Dulce María Loynaz, – perhaps she was listening to us between her water fountains and her mythical statues -, along with a modest tea at the end of each evening. Among the attendees there was a sense of professionalism, knowledge and true attachment to Cuban culture, literature, science and health.
The transcription of these spaces allowed the edition of a book and the possibility of sharing some of those debates, which constitute, more than a reference to the thinking of the moment, a stimulus to continue dialoguing, reflecting and disseminating letters, for health and life.
See some topics from the Letra con Vida debates:
- Bioethics.
- Transgenic foods.
- Sexual diversity.
- Smoking.
- Control and prevention of STI-HIV – AIDS.
- Health systems.
- Social determinants of health.
- Longevity and aging.
- Social and intersectoral participation in health.
- Racial diversity.
- Healthy eating.
- Reproductive health.
- Health promotion.
- Health communication.
- Health and international cooperation.
- Environmental health and vector control.
Some of the authors, panelists and faithful participants of Letra con Vida are no longer with us. Let this remembrance of his thoughts be a tribute to his life and work:
To Francisco Rojas Ochoa, Fernando Martínez Heredia, Juan Vela Valdés, Ricardo Ángel González Menéndez, Héctor Terry Moliner, Juan Manuel Diego Cobelo, Pedro Francisco Llerena Fernández, Alfredo Dueñas Herrera and Mercedes Torres.
Download the first “Letra con Vida” book for free. Here