Havanna between the times

1996-2000 "It is not easy" is what people on every street corner of Havana can be heard saying. Nevertheless they get on with their everyday lives: swapping, mince for toothpaste, cigarette rations for shoes... The government still conjures up the old ideals and the hostile images, but the socialist dream seems to come to an end. This is why one can talk of Havana as being "between the times".

It is not easy with the electric current being cut off in the quarter, and the last candle having to be saved for the Gods. Not easy when all you have for breakfast is some sugared water and some breadcrumbs which are leftovers of your three ounce daily ration of bread. There is no paper or construction material available. Soap has not been seen around here for months. Huge factories lay idle because of lack of power or lack of replacement parts. Nevertheless people get on with their everyday lives: swapping, mince for toothpaste, cigarette rations for shoes... Even though the government still conjures up the old ideals and the hostile images, the socialist dream seems to come to an end. And while the motto "socialismo o muerte" (socialism or death) flakes from the walls, the citizens of Havana are hoping for better times, being at the same time scared of what the future will bring them. This is why one can talk of Havana as being "between the times". Jordis Schlösser's pictures were taken in spring 1996 on the photographer's second visit to Cuba. The country has changed very much since she has seen it the first time, the socialistic dream has seemed to come to an end. But the aim of Jordis Schlösser is not to show misery for the sake of sensation but to show people in a rapidly changing country with all their hopes and fears regarding the future.