MIAMI, FL — January 30, 2025 — (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) — The University of Miami Libraries Cuban Heritage Collection is hosting a Q&A and pop-up photo display for the book launch of “Surreal Cuba” with photographer, author, and noted media entrepreneur Manny Ruiz on February 19 (RSVP here). The event will take place at the Roberto C. Goizueta Pavilion of Otto G. Richter Library 1300 Memorial Drive Coral Gables, FL 33146.

Ruiz’s groundbreaking photo book, which features interactive QR codes that link to the riveting backstories behind the images, captures the haunting essence of life during Revolutionary Cuba’s “Special Period” (1993–1994). Ruiz was just 23 years old when he embarked on the award-winning documentary photography project, which is partially archived in the collections of the University of Miami Libraries, and which last year inspired the globally acclaimed Bistec podcast series.

During the Q & A mixer, Ruiz will share the fascinating stories behind some of his most iconic photographs, reflect on the creative process that spanned decades, and discuss the legacy “Surreal Cuba” holds for the island and the diaspora.

Visit the Cuban Heritage Collection on Feb. 19 for the opportunity to meet the artist, explore his evocative photography, and engage in a conversation about art, history, and exile. Light refreshments will be served.

Event highlights:

• Photography display: View selections from “Surreal Cuba”
• Book launch: Explore the interactive publication firsthand
• Q & A with Manny Ruiz: Gain insights into the photos, stories, and inspiration behind the project
• Networking mixer: Connect with fellow art and history enthusiasts

About Manny Ruiz
Manny Ruiz is the co-founder of the entertainment and media tech company Brilla Media Ventures, and the Chief Content Officer and Executive Producer of the brand's two flagships, Minivela and Nuestro Stories.

During his more than 30 years in the U.S. Hispanic media, marketing, filmmaking, and journalism industries, Ruiz has cultivated a reputation for storytelling and media innovations that have resulted in the sale of his two previous media ventures, Hispanicize and Hispanic PR Wire.

During his career, Ruiz has been awarded the keys to the City of Miami and has won every major award in the public relations industry, including the PRWeek Campaign of the Year (“truth”), the Silver Anvil, and the Hispanic Public Relations Association Professional of the Year Award. In 1992, during his career as a print reporter, Ruiz was a co-recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Community Journalism.

Born in Miami of Cuban descent, Ruiz has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Florida International University.

About the Cuban Heritage Collection
The Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami Libraries is home to the largest repository of materials on Cuba outside of the island and the most comprehensive collection of resources about Cuban exile history and the global Cuban diaspora experience.

As a premier research destination, the collection hosts researchers, students, and visitors from around the world who can explore and discover a wide and ever-expanding range of information. These materials include published works such as rare and contemporary books, journals, artists books, and newspapers, as well as archival materials including personal papers, organizational records, correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, maps, works on paper, audiovisual content, ephemera, and growing born-digital and digitized collections. The collection organizes a calendar of events and programming and curates exhibitions that showcase the richness of the repository. The span of the University of Miami Libraries’ Cuban Heritage Collection reinforces the University’s hemispheric mission and commitment to a continuing relationship with its neighbors.