Baracoa Rustica: A Day with Cuban Carver Diolkis Tomasén Barroso

Описание: Cuba is populated with young artistic talent. While in Baracoa for a two-week visit during January 2011, my wife and I became acquainted with sculptor, Diolkis Tomasén Barroso. After a week of running into Diolkis in Parque Central—the town's main square where he displays his fine carvings—I finally learned and remembered how to pronounce his name ("die-yol-key")!

Diolkis is a focused, charismatic man in his 20s. He is humble about his creative achievements and allows the quality of his sculptures in wood and cow horn to sell themselves. While interested in engaging with tourists about his work, there's never any hint of hard-selling or hustling, which can become burdensome for travellers in other locations.

The carvers in the square display their work every day and evening. You can be sure that each of them generates revenue from tourists that is vital to their household economies. The group of carvers in Parque Central support each other in many ways. This includes mutual selling and security of items when timeout from the square is required for meals, errands, visits with family and friends, and carving in their studios.

While travelling, it is rewarding for us to support individuals and small enterprises through promotional writing and video photography. Diolkis enthusiastically endorsed the idea of a video profile, and I eventually visited his home near Rio Miel. You will see in the video the rustic work conditions and tools at his disposal, and be amazed by the finely crafted creations that emerge from his open air studio.

If you are heading to Baracoa, please consider new or used carving tools and safety gear from home that you can donate to Diolkis and other carvers. Rotary tools (e.g. Dremel) and grinders are next to impossible to obtain in Cuba.

Thanks for watching, and be sure to catch my other videos from Baracoa and Cuba.

Diolkis Tomasén Barroso
Escultor de Madera (wood carver)
Address: Bohorque #105 B.F., Baracoa, Guantánamo, Cuba
Tel: (53) (21) 641789