There is a group in the midcoast that has more than a passing interest in what goes on in that island nation: the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association (BTSCA) has been studying and educating us about the Cuban people and their culture since 2001.  In 2003, BTSCA convinced the Brunswick Town Council to formally adopt a Sister City agreement with the town of Trinidad. 

The Sister City program was started during the Cold War by President Dwight D. Eisenhower who believed that while governments confronted each other at the highest levels, ordinary citizens could build bridges based on their common experiences.  So, while the U.S. government has enforced the embargo and has severely limited travel between the two countries, BTSCA has been able to send five small delegations - about 30 people - to learn about the people and culture of our Cuban Sister City. 

Trinidad is a lot like Brunswick, according to Tina Phillips, a co-founder and President of BTSCA.  It's a small city in the middle of Cuba's southern coast that is the service center for smaller communities where people support themselves with fishing and farming.  Trinidad relies in part on tourism for its economy. 

Phillips says that people in Trinidad are like people in Brunswick: they love their children, they care for their families, friends and neighbors - and they go to church.  In fact, the only person from Trinidad to make visit to Brunswick is Father Giovanni Paz, whose San Francisco de Paola church has a “sister” relationship with Brunswick's St. Charles Borromeo. 

And, like us, they love sports, especially baseball, according to Phillips.  American fans of the game know that some pretty good ballplayers have come from there - Cubanball.com lists 202 who have played in the Majors, including Boston favorite Luis Tiant.  Just about every town in Cuba has its own team.  But the US Embargo has made it almost impossible for ordinary Cubans to get all kinds of goods, including baseball equipment.  Each Sister City exchange delegation has been able to carry needed supplies; on its last trip, they included implements of baseball. 

Phillips has visited Trinidad four times over the past five years.  Her impression is that most people - even those who disagree with him - believe Fidel Castro did what he did because he thought it was best for the country.  She cites media reports in which Cubans have said they appreciate the improvements in health care and education under Castro, but wish for a more open economy. 

No one really knows what Castro's departure will mean: will Cubans have a more open economy?  Will the US ease restrictions on trade and travel?  BTSCA's Phillips says, “as a Sister City, we can't take a political position, even though our ability to carry out our work is greatly affected by our government's travel and trade policies.  But we hope things do open up, so we can really implement our mission.” 

Meanwhile, BTSCA will celebrate Cuba Week March 28-April 5, there will be music, films, food (local restaurants will be featuring dishes with a Cuban influence), and a talk "Eating Local, Acting Global--Making a Difference in Castro's Cuba." by Canadian agrologist , economist and writer Wendy Holm who has worked with farmers and chefs in Cuba.  For more information about BTSCA, you can visit their website: www.brunswicktrinidad.org .