On Thursday, musician X Alfonso publicly addressed the Ministry of Culture and the Instituto Cubano de la Música (ICM) following allegations of discrimination at the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC), a cultural institution he leads.
Through a detailed social media post, Alfonso refuted racism allegations and criticized what he termed as an "official campaign of empty rhetoric."
"I was born in 1972, in Luyanó, at Mangos 208, a humble neighborhood. My great-grandmother was the daughter of slaves. Now, with over half a century behind me, don't come at me with tales or empty official campaigns," Alfonso stated, addressing officials from the Ministry of Culture and the ICM directly.
The musician clarified an event from December 26, where a young man named Kevin claimed on social media that he and two friends were denied entry to FAC under the pretext of "admission rights."
Alfonso explained the situation was a "misunderstanding" and that Kevin was mistaken for another individual previously involved in thefts at the cultural venue.
"He was confused with someone who had been stealing from FAC's attendees, and for precautionary reasons, they didn't allow him entry. It was a terrible mistake, and we're deeply sorry because the young man suffered due to incidents we've been dealing with at FAC for years," the musician explained, adding that he personally reached out to apologize to the young man.
Official Reaction Questioned
After explaining that Kevin understood the situation, the FAC founder described the official response as "surreal," suggesting it aimed to "discredit" the project by accusing it of institutional racism.
The renowned Cuban musician also criticized the official communication issued by cultural authorities, which used the "admission rights" term to attack the Fábrica de Arte, branding it hypocritical.
"The absurd use of the right of admission," Alfonso recalled, quoting the ICM's note, "is what many of us experienced at Kevin's age. We were denied entry to hotels for being Cuban, to beach clubs, to stores for foreigners, to places where only military family members were allowed. Today, we're denied access to essentials sold in a currency we don't earn."
Alfonso argued that the cultural institutions' discourse on equality and social justice "lacks grounding in the country's reality."
"Let's leave the phrase there — ironically citing —: 'The Revolution and its institutions are and will always be at the service of the people.' That's the big lie," he asserted.
Ongoing Tensions with Authorities
Alfonso revealed that the Fábrica de Arte Cubano has maintained a tense relationship with the authorities for years.
"We've been a thorn in the Ministry of Culture's side since July 2018. Every week involves dealing with absurdities, censorships, and a lack of dialogue. They have the power to physically shut this place down, but they can't extinguish what this project represents or the voices of those involved," he declared.
The musician also criticized a social media campaign led by regime-affiliated accounts, accusing FAC and his family of "elitism" and "racism," dismissing them as "fascist comments from faceless profiles" and "poor journalism."
"To those who dared speak ill of my parents, I wish the worst," he wrote, referring to the renowned musicians Ele Valdés and Carlos Alfonso, founders of the group Síntesis.
X Alfonso emphasized that the "right of admission" at FAC is applied solely for security reasons, not based on race or social status.
"It's used only to prevent access to individuals with past criminal behavior at the venue or those arriving visibly intoxicated or under the influence, jeopardizing the audience's safety," he clarified.
A Message of Hope
Alfonso concluded his message by addressing FAC's workers and followers: "To all art creators, inseparable followers, and FAC workers, I wish a new year full of hope and light. We need it."
His statements echo those of his sister, Eme Alfonso, who also defended their family publicly on Wednesday, dismissing any acts of racism amid a controversy that has placed the Cuban regime on the defensive amid a wave of criticism on social media.
Currently, the FAC is one of the nation's largest cultural spaces, thriving thanks to X Alfonso's efforts, who has transformed a former oil factory into a vibrant interdisciplinary creation hub showcasing the best of contemporary Cuban art.
The venue features multiple rooms, where various artistic expressions engage with a social and community-focused mission. It also hosts a space for concerts.
Understanding the FAC Incident and Reactions
What was the incident that occurred at the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC)?
The incident involved a young man, Kevin, who claimed he and two friends were denied entry to the FAC due to "admission rights." X Alfonso later clarified it was a misunderstanding, as Kevin was mistaken for someone with a history of theft at the venue.
How did X Alfonso respond to the accusations of racism?
X Alfonso refuted the accusations, stating that the "right of admission" is enforced for security reasons, not based on race or social status. He criticized the official response as an attempt to discredit FAC, labeling it hypocritical.
What is the significance of the Fábrica de Arte Cubano?
FAC is a major cultural hub in Cuba, transformed by X Alfonso from an old oil factory into a dynamic space for interdisciplinary art creation, showcasing contemporary Cuban art with social and community engagement.