HAVANA — On March 3, performers in the Cuban capital contributed their talents, along with others in more than 1000 cities around the world (including in all 50 US states), to the Lysistrata Project. The project was a worldwide, simultaneous reading of Aristophanes' bawdy ancient Greek anti-war comedy Lysistrata, as a way to voice opposition to the war on Iraq. The readings raised money for charities working for peace and humanitarian aid in the Middle East.
Lysistrata tells the story of women from opposing states who unite to end a war by refusing to sleep with their men until they agree to lay down their swords. Powerless in their society, with too many of their sons and husbands being slaughtered in battle, the women take the only tactic available to them: a sex strike.
The Havana Casa de las Americas welcomed the performers of the Greek comedy, the first call for peace in the history of world drama. In Havana, the performance was also dedicated to the five Cubans imprisoned in the US for defending their country from terrorism. The Cuban actors were led by Veronica Lynn, Jose Antonio Rodriguez and Aseneh Rodriguez. Raul Martin, from the Teatro de la Luna group, directed the Cuban actors.
The Lysistrata Project was conceived by US actors Kathryn Blume and Sharron Bower, in the heart of New York. "Before we started the Lysistrata Project, we could do nothing but sit and watch in horror as the Bush administration drove us toward a unilateral attack on Iraq", Blume said. "So we emailed all our friends and put up a web site. The response has been enormous." Co-founder Bower added, "Many people have emailed us to say they now feel empowered to do something, and foster dialogue in their own communities about the dangers of this war."
"Our purpose is to make it very clear that President Bush does not speak for all Americans. Our message is simple: If you oppose this war, then speak up!", concluded Blume.
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From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, March 12, 2003.
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