El Mejunje

El Mejunje (Spanish for The Mixture), also known as El Mejunje de Silverio after the surname of its founder and director, Ramón Silverio,[1][2] is a Cuban LGBT cultural center and space[3] located in the city of Santa Clara. It lies on the central Calle Marta Abreu, near the corner with Calle Juan Bruno Zayas, close to the Parque Vidal and La Caridad Theatre, next to the Saint Claire of Assisi Cathedral.

El Mejunje
Facade and theatre room
El Mejunje is located in Cuba
El Mejunje
Location within Cuba
General information
Town or cityCalle Marta Abreu / Juan Bruno Zayas y Alemán, Santa Clara
Country Cuba
Coordinates22.406677°N 79.967227°W / 22.406677; -79.967227
Completed26 January 1985

History

Created as a simple gathering of bohemians and intellectuals, the centre grew as multifaceted and unconventional cultural space. It was installed in the ruins of an old hotel and started its activities in 1985.[4] People related to the centre are colloquially known as Mejunjeros.[2][5][6]

Cultural activities

The "Mejunje" is an LGBT cultural centre, involved into several social campaigns, as the ones on HIV/AIDS prevention, against homophobia and social discrimination.[7] As for the meaning of its name and the purposes of its founder, El Mejunje is not a simple gay club: it is conceived as an open space shared by everyone independently of sexual orientation, to promote social integration.[1] The activities of the centre include a theatre, a café, an art gallery in the second roof and a little music venue[8] in which are held concerts of various musical genres, ranging from rock'n roll to Cuban folk music.[1]

The activities also include social and cultural initiatives of interest to both children and adults, film screenings, and the Gay Saturday disco every Saturday night.[1][9]

  • Detail of the facade with graffiti
    Detail of the facade with graffiti
  • View of El Mejunje with the Cathedral in background
    View of El Mejunje with the Cathedral in background
  • A music concert in the inner open space
    A music concert in the inner open space

See also

References
  1. (in Spanish) An interview to Ramón Silverio (BBC Mundo)
  2. (in Spanish) Article about Ramón Silverio and "El Mejunje"
  3. "El Mejunje: Cuba's gay oasis in Santa Clara" (on cubaabsolutely.com)
  4. (in Spanish) History of El Mejunje (EcuRed)
  5. ""Mejunje, a Space like Life Itself in the Heart of Cuba" (The Havana Reporter)". Archived from the original on 2013-08-18. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  6. "Ramón Silverio's El Mejunje (Santa Clara)" (lahabana.com)
  7. "El Mejunje: Ramón Silverio; passion & an alternative vision"
  8. (in Spanish) Services of El Mejunje (EcuRed)
  9. Article on Toronto Star
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