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Lectores reading to cigar rollers

Recovering the Cuban Émigré Press of the 19th Century

The Preserving Voices project strives to re-establish the tradition and showmanship of the lector de tabaquería. Like those who once read to the cigar workers of Key West, Ybor City, West Tampa, New York and beyond, our distinguished readers showcase their talents as they perform key essays and articles published within the Cuban émigré press of the latter half of the nineteenth century. In addition to their historical importance, these articles are often vivacious and riveting in style and substance, conveying deep passion, strong social commitment, striking elegance and prescient insight. Thanks to a generous grant from the Florida Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Center for José Martí Studies Affiliate at The University of Tampa can now begin to bring these important voices back to life, offering a new and entertaining way to discover and explore these fascinating communities.

Please join us for any of our free, virtual one-hour public programs, when we will highlight important articles, listen to them being read as a lector might have performed them originally and discuss their historical importance with a panel of prestigious scholars. Click below for more information on each program and how to attend.

Florida Humanities Council LogoNational Endowment for the Humanities Logo

*Banner photo courtesy of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System.

Formations of Cuban Identity and Nationhood

Public Program on Oct. 3, 2023, at 7 p.m.

Moderated by James López, Ph.D.

Representations of Revolution

Public Program on Nov. 8, 2023, at 7 p.m.

Moderated by Denis Rey, Ph.D.

Constructing Local Community: Ybor City and West Tampa

Public Program on Jan. 28, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Charlene A. Gordon Theater, University of Tampa

Moderated by James López, Ph.D.

Immigrant Perspectives of American Life

Time and Date: March 20, 2024

Moderated by Adolfo Lagomasino, Ph.D.

Zoom Link


La Libertad (Sept. 15, 1882): "El cambio de sistema es inevitable"
Read by Kenya C. Dworkin.
La Revolución (June 8, 1870): “Miedo a la anarquia”
Read by Lisandro Pérez
El Yara (June 19, 1886): “De Tampa”
Read by James López; Presented by Gerald E. Poyo
Las Columnas de Hércules (Sept. 15, 1884): "No Se Nos Olvida."
Read by Ada Ferrer
El Separatista (Sept. 29, 1883): "Los Estorbos."
Read by Bonnie Lucero
The Key of the Gulf (July 3, 1886): “Detrás de los filibusteros.”
Read by Clay Risen
Patria (May 28, 1892) “La Revista De Florida”
Read by Gabriel Cartaya
Patria (Dec. 31 1898) ACTA
Read by Gabriel Cartaya
Tampa Journal (Jan. 26, 1887): "Problemas en Ybor City" Article 1
Read by Maura Barrios
Tampa Journal (Jan. 26, 1887): "Problemas en Ybor City" Article 2
Read by Maura Barrios
Patria (March 14, 1892) "Tampa y Cayo Hueso"
Read by the Hon. Emiliano J. Salcines
El Yara (May 8, 1886): "Patria adoptiva"
Read by Dalia Antonia Caraballo Muller
El Separatista (March 15, 1884): Un rudo golpe para Cuba
Read by Carolina A. Villarroel
El Avisador Cubano, (April 26, 1888): Buena Determinación
Read by Kelley Kreitz