October 14, 2005
For Immediate Release
For more information:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Written by:
Kyle Chilton
(801) 863-8504
UVSC Professor to Present on Culture in Cuba
Utah Valley State College professor Dr. Greg Briscoe will present findings from his recent trip to Cuba in a lecture titled “Cuba, Myths and Realities: A Rare View,” Thursday, Oct. 27, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the Faculty Seminar Room of the Learning Resource Center, room 243.
Briscoe, a foreign languages professor, spent three weeks in Cuba earlier this year studying the contradiction of how the Cuban government exercises extensive control over its people but also supports cultural expression. After talking to people on the street, interviewing several individuals at the center of cultural life in Cuba and speaking with exiled artists, Briscoe found it is probably easier for someone with artistic abilities to excel in Cuba than it is in the United States because of the government’s commitment to develop its cultural talents.
“Cuba has so much to offer historically, culturally and personally,” Briscoe said. “Ironically, being so close to the U.S., it is unknown to us because of the political animosity between our two countries. So much of what Cuba has to offer, and so much of its potential is lost due to its government's own self-imposed restrictions on freedom of expression.”
The event is sponsored by the Institute for International Understanding and the Faculty Center for Teaching Excellence. While the presentation is open to the public, seating is limited. Pre-registration is available and will guarantee a seat. To pre-register, visit www.uvsc.edu/fcte.
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