It might have seemed a coincidence, but it was not. It responded actually to a strong historical and cultural link. Cubarte spoke on this subject with researcher and essayist Ramón Villares, President of the Galician Council on Culture. Villares gave the speech that opened the Galician literary program at the 17th International Book Fair.

You spoke of a rebound effect. What has Latin America and specifically Cuba contributed to the Galician culture?

America Latina contributed a lot, especially Cuba, because of a sort of seasonal migration that took place there. People were constantly coming and going and thus, Cuban immigrants maintained a closer contact with Galicia than, for instance, immigrants from Argentina or Uruguay. We had 40 journals in Galician and Spanish. The works by famous authors were published, including Rosalía de Castro and Ramón Cabanillas. Associations were established between churches -- the essence of the education societies that opened schools in Galicia. To a large extent, Galicians were educated thanks to the immigrants. We should acknowledge the immigrants great contribution to our culture, particularly Cubans.

Where do you think the Galician literatures strength lies in?

It rests on an old, solid writing tradition in Galicia, in the Galician complex experience with migration in and outside of Spain, with people constantly coming and going and our peoples great sensitivity. A lot has been said about the nostalgic and poetic nature of the Galician people and although it may sound like a cliché, it not at all groundless.

What role have clichés played in defining the Galician identity?

They were distinctive elements at times of war between different ethnic groups. When someone from Galicia was referred to pejoratively as "Galician" in Argentina or Costa Rica (not so much in Cuba), it was to emphasize the difference between them and the Italians, the French and others. Even in Spain, there were pejorative expressions against the Galician people due to the kind of work they did in Madrid or Lisbon -mostly housework and other services. However, it was doing that kind of work that the Galician people changed their image and today they are seen as hardworking, competent, thrifty and trustworthy people.

What would you say characterizes the Galician communities settled here in Cuba and their descendants?

Cuba contributed sensuality, a unique way of seeing life. When the Galician people went back to Galicia and planted a palm tree in front of their houses, they were actually reproducing the environment of the island nation they left behind. Cuba also contributed a great imagination, without which life would be really boring.

What do you think of these book fairs?

Its popular character, the huge numbers of fair-goers, the fact that it is not just about selling books, but several other literary and cultural activities, in general, are included and the countless venues nation wide, make it particularly attractive. Fairs are in general positive events, but this one in particular is unique and there is where its splendor lies within.

(CUBARTE)