People are Cuba

To visit Cuba is an overwhelming visual experience: stunning scenery, buildings crumbling and restored. So why have I chosen people? Because I was struck forcibly by their personalities and spontaneous friendliness.

Here there is no colour bar. Many ethnic strands are unified in each individual, intensely proud to be Cuban. Their enthusiam for life gave an almost tangible vibrancy to my many encounters and lured me back the following year.

The results are a very personal choice, reflecting my feelings about the diverse people who are Cuba. I feel that a natural pose best exemplifies their sense of identity and self-worth.

The first and last five slides show people in their environment. Wonderful background colours seemed a natural backdrop. The flamenco ballet rehearsal aimed at perfection, a manifestation of national identity. The five portraits in the middle are special to me. Cheerful, mimed conversation told of pride in their country and their pleasure at my return.

I deliberately chose the irrepressible little boy for my last slide: on his new bike he pedals confidently into the future.

Margaret Gatter
9th September 2004