Historic Cuban 'Special Period' Captured in New Photo Book Launch at University of Miami

The University of Miami Libraries Cuban Heritage Collection will showcase a unique perspective on one of Cuba's most challenging periods through the upcoming launch of 'Surreal Cuba,' a photo book by acclaimed photographer and media entrepreneur Manny Ruiz. The February 19 event will feature a Q&A session and photo exhibition documenting Cuba's 'Special Period' of 1993-1994, when the country faced severe economic hardship following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The book represents a significant contribution to the historical record of Cuban life during a pivotal moment of economic crisis. Through interactive QR codes linking to detailed backstories, Ruiz's work provides unprecedented access to firsthand accounts of daily life during this transformative period. The photographs, taken when Ruiz was just 23 years old, are partially archived in the University of Miami Libraries' collections and have already inspired the globally recognized Bistec podcast series.

This publication holds particular significance for both scholars and the Cuban diaspora, offering valuable documentation of a period that reshaped Cuban society. The interactive format of the book bridges traditional photography with modern digital storytelling, making historical documentation more accessible to new generations of researchers and those interested in Cuban history.

The University of Miami's Cuban Heritage Collection, which houses the largest repository of Cuban materials outside the island, provides an fitting venue for this launch. The collection's role in preserving Cuban exile history and diaspora experiences makes it an important platform for sharing these rarely seen images of life during one of Cuba's most challenging periods.