Header photo courtesy of Barry University.
March 28–29, 2023
UCF Student Union – Garden Key, Room 221
Free, two-day virtual and in-person bilingual program featuring panel discussions, conversation, and music, which aims to bring awareness and advance the public’s understanding of Operación Pedro Pan: Cuba’s Child Exodus.
“Now that 60 years have passed since this extraordinary exodus of unaccompanied minors, it is important to revisit Operation Peter Pan/Operación Pedro Pan through the lens of humanities scholars and the voices of Pedro Pan survivors,” said Dr. Cecilia Rodríguez Milanés, who is organizing the event and will introduce the program. Speakers include Latin American Studies scholars, an art historian, a graphic novelist, and community experts. The event includes performances of Cuban musical selections from the era.
Registration is required for Zoom participants only.
Zoom RegistrationContact
For more information, contact [email protected].
March 28
UCF Student Union – Garden Key, Room 221
Musical Selection — 11:30 a.m.
Opening remarks — 11:45 a.m.
Panel One — noon
Internationally renowned scholars will discuss the political, historical and cultural legacy of Operación Pedro Pan (1960-1962).
Luis Martínez Fernández
Luis Martínez Fernández, a UCF historian specializing in Cuba, will foreground the events leading to Operación Pedro Pan, discuss the salient events of its two-year span, and contextualize the aftermath both in the US and Cuba.
Alexis Castellanos
Alexis Castellanos, a graphic novelist, will discuss the creative processes surrounding the retelling of the historical event through visual representation and articulation of post-memory.
María de los Ángeles Torres
María de los Ángeles Torres, University of Illinois Chicago, is Distinguished Latin American Studies professor and Operación Pedro Pan expert who will contribute specific context and a humanities-focused overview.
Ilenia Colón Mendoza
Ilenia Colón Mendoza, a UCF art historian and specialist in Latin American art, will highlight the work and life of artist Ana Mendieta, who drew from her experiences as an Operación Pedro Pan survivor.
Panel Two — 1:20 p.m.
Community experts will share their personal perspectives to aid in our understanding of the profound impact of Pedro Pan on their lives.
Karina Céspedes
Karina Céspedes, a humanities and cultural studies scholar who studies Cuba, will serve as the moderator.
Norma Hern
Norma Hern, a community expert who arrived with her two younger siblings via Operación Pedro Pan.
Isabel Barrabeitg
Isabel Barrabeitg, a community expert, an only child, who arrived in 1961.
Barbara Palacios Wessels
Barbara Palacios Wessels is a community expert who arrived with her two younger siblings via Operación Pedro Pan in 1962.
March 29
UCF Student Union — Garden Key, Room 221
Musical Selection and Opening Remarks — 11:30 a.m.
Kevin Meehan
Kevin Meehan, Caribbean Studies specialist and musician
Jorge Milanés
Jorge Milanés, UCF Department Of Housing & Residence Life, Percussionist/Vocalist
In Conversation with Graphic Novelist Alexis Castellanos — 12:15 p.m.
Alexis Castellanos
Alexis Castellanos, a graphic novelist, will discuss the creative processes surrounding the retelling of the historical event through visual representation and articulation of post-memory.
Cecilia Rodríguez Milanés
Cecilia Rodríguez Milanés, humanities scholar and Latinx Studies specialist
Lisa Nalbone
Lisa Nalbone, Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies Coordinator
Sponsors
Funding for this program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Co-sponsored by UCF’s Department of English; Department of Modern Languages and Literatures – Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies; Department of Philosophy – Humanities & Cultural Studies; Women’s and Gender Studies Program