Strangely, Friends

A History of Cuban-Canadian Encounters

Karen Dubinsky

• Publisher: Between the Lines
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781771136884
• Subtopic: Latin American & Caribbean History

Strangely, Friends delves into the rich, often overlooked history of personal and cultural connections between Cubans and Canadians. From the early days of the Cuban Revolution to the present, this book uncovers the stories of Canadians who were drawn to Cuba—teachers, artists, development aid workers, filmmakers, and activists—who left an indelible mark on the island, and Cubans, especially the musicians, who found a home in Canada. Through intimate portraits and serendipitous encounters, Karen Dubinsky explores how these relationships transcended political ideologies and state policies, revealing a shared humanity that defies borders. From the classrooms of Havana to the jazz clubs of Toronto, this book captures the enduring bonds forged through music, education, and mutual curiosity, offering a fresh perspective on the power of people-to-people connections.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction Friends of Convenience?
• Chapter One “Cubanized,” Internationalistas, and the Curious: Some Portraits of Canadians in Cuba
• Chapter Two CUSO’s Técnicos: Canadian Development Comes to Cuba in the 1970s
• Chapter Three After the Crisis: NGOs, Skateboards, and Hospital Equipment
• Chapter Four What Do Cubans and Canadians ActuallyKnow About Each Other?: Educational Exchanges, Research, and Teaching
• Chapter Five Cuban Music in Canada: An Extremely Partial Introduction
• Chapter Six Making Music, Making Meaning: What Do Cuban-Canadian Musical Exchanges Do?
• Conclusion Harry Tanner’s Legacy
• Notes
• Select Bibliography
• Index