Islas

9-22

Authors: Vladimir Gutiérrez Gómez

The foundation of the magazine Islas was nuanced by a social and academic context that made it unique within the university journals of Cuba in the period 1958-1968. The work presented is a reference for knowledge about its emergence. The objective is to characterize the fundamental elements that made possible its implementation, highlighting the contribution of Samuel Feijóo, as well as the rectors and other collaborators that made their appearance possible. The use of primary sources, contrasted with the events of the time and the departure of the first issue, shows the commitment of the Universidad Central «Marta Abreu» de Las Villas since its inception with publications. They also show economic elements essential for the operation of the magazine, while highlighting figures little studied in the period.

39-68

Authors: Johanset Orihuela León; Odlanyer Hernández de Lara; Ricardo A. Viera Muñoz

Castillo de San Severino in Matanzas had a construction standstill that lasted between 1694 and 1716. The historiography of the fort during these years pointed to the lack of funds to maintain a stable labor and materials for its construction as the main cause of the standstill. However, primary documents, including one by Juan de Síscara, assistant engineer to the viceroy of Mexico in 1696, points to other common factors for such delay of construction. In this way, our study provides new information and a new interpretation on one of the least known years of the construction of San Severino, plus insight into the political dynamics that influenced the construction and maintenance of Cuban military entities during the late 17th Century.

87-101

Authors: Edel Lima Sarmiento

After the explosion of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor, the most important Spanish publications kept a sorrowful and prudent stance. Yet, when they considered the conflagration between the United States and Spain to be imminent, they sought to create a pro-war emotional climate, in the belief that victory would be on their side; and, of course, they lied to and manipulated their readers. However, the Iberian newspapers changed their attitude along the course of the conflict, because when the war was clearly lost for the Peninsula, after the defeat of the squadron commanded by Admiral Pascual Cervera in the naval battle of Santiago de Cuba in early July, they lowered their warmongering tone and gave a turn to their editorial line, seeking to press the Government led by Práxedes Mateo Sagasta into negotiating a quick peace settlement, not to waste time in order to make it as advantageous as possible.

128-154

Authors: Marianela Garau Cordovés

This paper offers a critical review of the results reflecting the description of the phonology of the Cuban Sign Language (CSL), the viso-spatial language used by the deaf community in our country. The main goal is to offer a review of the research targeting this language’s minimal components. We aim to contribute to the work of a research team dedicated to determining the linguistic, grammatical, pedagogical, methodological, and sociocultural foundtions of CSL as a symbol of the Deaf community’s cultural identity.

168-188

Authors: Pablo Guadarrama González

This article reflects on the authenticity of Latin America through the work and thought of Alejo Carpentier. A great intellectual who was concerned to claim the culture of the peoples of America by defending their originality. He had the conviction of how the specificity of the cultural world of these lands had been articulated to the universal heritage of humanity, without the need for European approval.