El Instituto Cultural Cubano-Norteamericano facts for kids
El Instituto Cultural Cubano-Norteamericano was an organization set up in Havana, Cuba in 1943. Its main goal was to teach people about the United States and the English language. It helped bring together people from Cuba and the U.S. through learning and culture.
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What Was the Cuban-American Cultural Institute?
The Cuban-American Cultural Institute was an American group started in 1943. It was located in the city of Havana, Cuba. The institute offered classes to help Cubans learn about American culture. It also taught them the English language.
Learning English and American Culture
The institute provided many courses for its students. These classes focused on different parts of American life. Students could learn about the history of the U.S. They also studied American customs and traditions. A big part of the learning was mastering the English language. This helped people communicate better between the two countries.
The Martí-Lincoln Library
A special part of the institute was its library. It was called the Biblioteca Pública Martí-Lincoln. Most of the books in this library came from the United States government. Many individual Americans also donated books. The library had popular American magazines too. What made this library unique was that people could borrow books. At that time, many other libraries in Cuba did not allow books to be taken outside. This made the Martí-Lincoln Library very popular.
Sharing Ideas: The Dos Pueblos Bulletin
In 1945, the institute started publishing its own newsletter. It was named Dos Pueblos, which means "Two Peoples." At first, this bulletin was just for the students. But later, it was sent to libraries in other countries. This helped share information about the institute's work. It also spread ideas about American culture even further.
Who Led the Institute?
The director of the institute was a famous Cuban historian. His name was Herminio Portell Vilá. He was in charge of running the institute. He helped guide its programs and activities.
Why Was It Important?
The institute played a role in sharing American culture and language in Cuba. It was seen as a way to connect the two countries. It helped people learn about each other's ways of life. An article in Granma mentioned that the institute aimed to share American ideas and culture within Cuban society. This shows its importance in cultural exchange.
