The Pliable Page: Turn-of-the-21st-Century Reworkings of Villaverde’s Cecilia Valdés

This essay examines turn-of-the-21st-century responses to the foundational 19th-century novel by Villaverde, Cecilia Valdés, pointing ambivalence toward textual authority and migration as key elements in Cubans’ relationship historical memory. The analysis of two plays, a puppet show, novel, works visual performance art, all which have element were produced between 1994 2006, demonstrates ongoing use story question Cuban While contesting legacy colonial nation-building era, these contemporary open dialogue regarding narratives about migration, from 19th century into present. They unpack established Cuba’s period—slavery, race, socioeconomic class, sexuality, also contribute new migration. movement, authority, textuality Villaverde’s points how memory, intertwined with that are central renegotiation identity. By re-working novel—figuratively or literally manipulating pages Valdés—Cuban writers artists participate ritual resignification redefines lo cubano.