During my studies at the University of the Arts in Bremen  I decided to go one semester abroad to study Photography. I went to Cuba and spent 6 month living in different places with different people mainly in Havana though. This way I had the unique possibility to be a part of the Cuban life rather than just a tourist.

I grew up in a European communist Country which I had to leave with my parents  when I was 10. I was interested in living in Cuba as it is one of the last communistic Countries and this since many years despite of having the Super Capitalist at their doorstep.

Many aspects in Cuba reminded me directly on my childhood in Romania, such as the media world, the handling with deficiencies or the helpfulness of the people. I studied Photography and cuban culture at ISDI in Havana and documented live as I saw it through my eyes of an outsider but also an insider.

I experienced literally the last months of Fidel Castro’s Leadership. As a student I participated the Energetic Revolution 2006. All Students and social workers around the Country were involved to exchange all bulbs with energy saving bulbs which were  imported from China. I spoke to many Cubans during my residence in order to ask them about their feelings towards their Country, some acknowledged the issues of food, energy or medicine but defended their leader and the socialism others were just disappointed and awaiting for the change to happen. 

After coming back to Germany I finished my studies at HfK Bremen. My final Project was a book and a documentary Short-film about life in Cuba the Photographer Peter Bialobrzeski was my Professor at that time.

The following Interview is also published in the Book it shows the atmosphere of Fidel’s last months as the Leader of Cuba.

Many things changed since than, Raul Castro liberated many prohibitions as he allowed Cubans to enter any Hotel, which previously where exclusively reserved for Tourists.

Does Socialism work?

an interview with author Angel Santiesteban 2006

Do you think that Socialism still works?

Of course not. Socialism stops working from the moment it loses its democratic character. No human is prepared to come to “total power”. After five years of being the highest principal one cannot avoid transforming into a leader. Might is like the fruit from the forbidden tree: after tasting it, it is impossible to live without it and protecting it is the highest goal. Jose Marti, Cuba’s most knowledgeable man said once that Socialism is modern slavery. Socialism couldn’t eliminate social and racial class differences. When there are hospitals for political leaders which are better in quality than hospitals for regular citizens, then one is already accepting the difference. A man cannot lead a country like his own finca.

Is it human nature to always compare with oneself with others and to have the drive to be better and more ambitious than others?

Although the human nature might be confusing, the engine of all societies is based on ambition and the will to fulfill dreams. Without material and mental stimulation the human being stops existing. The difference between humans should be based on mental features, its development and insistence instead of ideals or political opinions.

What is the natural intention of mankind: the best conditions for oneself or the ones for the society?

I believe that both intentions coincide, after all every single person benefits from the prosperity of the society, preferring this indirectly. However, it is assumed that every human being has an own personal interest, a realistic dream. Utopias are beautiful but a society cannot rely on them. The material benefit a person receives from a society is a prize. By informing and rewarding the person, the society keeps its economy successful. Accordingly, a person pays for his realisable and unrealisable dreams with the benefits he receives from the society and therefore we can keep believing in our utopia. 

Finally, as the late Cuban author Onelio Jorge Cardoso would have said: “The human being is always hungry in two ways, the mental and the material way. However, if a human has one he misses the other one. Both complement one another. It is complicated to obtain both, it is fundamental to balance both.”