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  • Preface
  • Catherine Krull and Soraya Castro Mariño

The year 2009 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban revolution. An event with far-reaching national consequences and far-flung international repercussions, the Cuban Revolution must be considered as one of the momentous occurrences of the twentieth century. It spoke to the prevailing concerns of its time: a period of postcolonial transitions in which matters of sovereignty and self-determination and issues of social justice and economic development loomed as the overriding preoccupations of the third world.

That is why, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, the conference entitled "The Measure of a Revolution: Cuba, 1959–2009" was held from May 7–9, 2009, on the campus of Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Jointly organized by Catherine Krull (Queen's University), Soraya Castro (Havana University), Louis Pérez Jr. (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), and Susan Eckstein (Boston University), the conference assessed the revolution's achievements, analyzed its shortcomings, considered its prospects, and contemplated its legacy in the years to come. Representing over 15 countries, approximately 260 participants—including academics, writers, politicians, and artists specializing in a wide variety of themes relating to Cuba—shared their knowledge and analysis at this conference.

Now, Cuban Studies highlights some of the work that was presented at this conference from a variety of crucial angles. The articles in this special issue represent a variety of disciplines that study Cuba's past and present, and they provide diverse methodological approaches and multiple analytical frameworks. The coeditors have also made a concerted effort to include Cuban voices from the island—that of three contributing authors and one of the coeditors. With a range of international scholars from different disciplines—history, international relations, literature, sociology, journalism, politics, and arts and culture—the survival of Cuban revolutionary ideals and their transformation into a consequential international presence are assessed and put into the context of—including the connection among—the course of Cuban history, foreign policy, the defense of national sovereignty, solidarity, and the importance of resistance, all major issues in Cuban national identity.

We would like to thank the individuals who agreed to review papers for this issue—their expertise and insightful comments and suggestions have contributed to a stronger publication. We would also be amiss if we did not express our heartfelt thanks to Louis Pérez Jr. for coming up with the idea of featuring [Begin Page ix] some of the papers from the conference in a special issue. His proficiency and dedication to this journal, his generosity to new and established scholars in the field and his overall contribution to Cuban scholarship are unsurpassed—following his example has truly been walking in the footsteps of a giant. [Begin Page x]

Catherine Krull
Kingston, Ontario
April 2010
Soraya Castro Mariño
Havana, Cuba
April 2010
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