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A Museum 10 Years In The Making Emerges For Cuban Exiles

WLRN Public Media | By Rebekah Entralgo
Published November 18, 2016 at 12:16 AM EST
The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, located at 1200 Coral Way in Miami.
Rebekah Entralgo
/
WLRN
The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, located at 1200 Coral Way in Miami.

Those who have driven on Coral Way in Miami over the past 10 years may be familiar with a banner across a building that read, "Cuban museum coming soon." Now that museum is finally complete.

Originally founded in 1996 as the "Cuban Museum," the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora has been undergoing a rebranding process. 

"The name 'Cuban Museum' could mean anything about Cuba," said founding director Ileana Fuentes. "We wanted this museum to be focused on the art of the exiles."

Fuentes hopes this museum will be what she calls a "museum of memories," a place for exiles to connect with their forgotten past. 

"A museum of memories is crucial for a people, a nation, to understand and know their history," said Fuentes. 

Luis Cruz Azaceta is the first featured artist. The museum will have its grand opening on November 19th, 38 years to the day since Azaceta left Cuba.

 

Copyright 2020 WLRN 91.3 FM. To see more, visit WLRN 91.3 FM.

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CubaHistoryImmigrationLocal
Rebekah Entralgo
Rebekah Entralgo is recent graduate of Florida State University, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Editing, Writing and Media with double minors in Film Studies and Political Science. Even though her time at a university has ended, she's always looking for her next adventure.
See stories by Rebekah Entralgo
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