February 15, 2025, Havana
La Colmenita, photos: Bill Hackwell
Message of congratulations from the Cuban President, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, to Tin Cremata director of Cuba’s national children’s theatre company; La Colmenita
Dear Tin, dear beekeepers:
I’m going to tell you a secret: I wanted to go with you to celebrate the birthday at the La Colmenita headquarters, but today it won’t be possible. There is a lot of work here. Because of the responsibilities we have, we have to deal with all the country’s problems, and I know that you know that there are many.
I have a memory, also of an anniversary, I remember once I went to visit La Colmenita at the headquarters. Cremata was in a meeting, because the beekeepers also meet, and I was able to go to a room where you rehearse things. And there was a drum kit. And as I saw that there was no one there, I made the mischief of sitting at the drums and starting to play, the way I play the drums is a little out of tune.
Tin Cremata
And suddenly, Muma and other members from La Colmenita discovered me because they had heard the sound, and that’s how a very informal encounter began, but one that I have fond memories of. That’s how I would have liked this birthday to have been. But well, I’ll leave these wishes for another day, a non-birthday perhaps, like the ones that Alice in Wonderland likes, because, more than anything, you make dreams come true every day.
Now I want to congratulate you with all the love in the world and tell you that we admire you very much and love you very much. And do you know why that is? Because you make other children happy, and at the same time you make yourselves happy with what you learn and with what you teach in human values.
Secondly, because your work makes us think and work towards what is best for our children. I remember that, on one occasion, the Army General asked the entire Council of Ministers to visit one of your plays, to enjoy a play that spoke about the essentials.
And after that moment, we all left thinking about many things we had to do, and many things we had to improve. Therefore, you too are an inspiration with what you do.
Thirdly, because you keep Martí, Fidel and many heroes and heroines alive, as well as many creators and artists whose works do so much good for the human spirit. That is how you do good, as Martí wanted.
Fourthly, because in you we see the future of the Homeland, and we see it as beautiful and secure.
Fifth, because you have understood better than anyone what Martí meant with his beautiful phrase that “Homeland is Humanity”, and you have taken your art to other countries, including the United States, where you are ambassadors for UNICEF. And I am going to tell you now a very personal reason. As you know, I held positions of responsibility in two provinces as head of the Party. Whenever I had to go, whenever I needed cultural expressions that would touch people’s hearts in difficult moments, that would strike a chord in everyone, I turned to you, I turned to Tin, and explained to him why La Colmenita had to come to those provinces, and you always gave a positive response, and I remember those summer days in Villa Clara, also in Holguín, and how much the people enjoyed being with you. And that is something I have to thank you for. You never ask, you are always proposing and delivering to us.
Thank you for the love you give us and what you provoke in us. It is no coincidence that this group was founded, that this hive was opened to art and life on February 14th, because “only love begets wonder”.
Congratulations, and many more congratulations to Tin and his beekeepers.
Source: Cuba en Resumen