Oral Histories of the Cuban People
Oral history is a vital tool for safeguarding the lived experiences, cultural memory, and resilience of the Cuban people.
Collecting and sharing first-hand stories helps illuminate the complexity, richness, and humanity of everyday life in Cuba. Through our oral history program, Support for the Cuban People honors Cuban voices—especially those often unheard—ensuring that their memories, struggles, and hopes are preserved for future generations and recognized as part of the island’s enduring legacy.
Looking through family photos during an oral history interview. Photo by Vanessa K. Harper (2021)
A collection of archival photographs during an oral history interview. Photo by Vanessa K. Harper (2021)
We cherish the cultural preservation of the Cuban people and are dedicated to recording, archiving, and sharing the personal stories of Cubans from all walks of life—on the island and in the diaspora.
This project captures first-person narratives that illuminate the rich diversity, resilience, and complexity of Cuban identity, history, and everyday life. By honoring these voices, the program seeks to build a living archive that fosters cross-cultural understanding, historical memory, and community empowerment. Interviews are conducted in Spanish and English and will one day be archived for public access, research, education, and cultural exchange. We often complement our collection of oral history work with original documentary photography and film.
What We Do:
Collect oral histories for future archiving
The Bocourt family girls smile for the camera at their home in Los Tumbos, Cuba. Photo by Vanessa K. Harper (2016)
“Oral history is not just about collecting facts, but about understanding the complex interplay between individual experience, social context, and the act of remembering itself.” – Allesandro Portelli
Help keep Cuba’s stories alive.
Your donation helps record and share these personal narratives before they’re lost—honoring elders, amplifying unheard voices, and protecting a rich legacy for future generations.
