Cuba to host Latin American Monologue Festival

Nothing better for an old coliseum like the Tomás Terry Theater (TTT) in the province of Cienfuegos than celebrating its 135th anniversary while hosting the VI Latin American Monologue Festival between February 27 and March 2.

It was in 2002 that these Festivals and the Terry Awards were born and held every two years since, thanks to TTT director Miguel Cañellas, who explained that only Cuban artists performed and competed in the first five events but they were always attended by foreign companies willing to present their work, share views and learn more about art in the island.

In 2011, given increasing demands by Latin American and European artists and at the suggestion of Casa de las Americas, the National Council of Performing Arts and prestigious guest personalities, the first Festival was organized.

“Every February for 23 years, we have had artists from Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Uruguay, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Spain, among others”, Mr. Cañellas points out, “even if some may find it pretentious that Cienfuegos, one of Cuba’s smallest and least populated provinces, can organize an event of this magnitude. However, up to 27 foreign groups have self-financed their participation, which reveals that the Festival has been a real hit”.

From the "Terry" and other stages, the Latin American Monologue Festival promotes and does credit to the interaction of all artists devoted to one-man shows and becomes a major celebration for local audiences which in these 20 plus years have learned much more about theater and especially about such a complex genre as the monologue.

Traditionally granted to best performers, playwrights and directors, the Terry Awards will include two new categories, namely Distinguished Personality and People’s Choice Awards.

Whoever earns them should feel as proud as the other winners, aware as they will be that they were evaluated by a multitudinous cultured, perfectionist jury whose members pat themselves on the back for being once again the venue of the Latin American Monologue Festival.