A few weeks ago we explained in a post on how cigars are made, it is a job that requires great experience and skill. Today we want to tell you a little more about one of the most important jobs of a cigar factory: “el lector”, the reader.
Reader in a modern cigar factory . Photo from http://www.elnuevoherald.com/
History of the trade
In Cuba there is the trade of tobacco readers. This trade was born in December 1865. At this time the working class began to become aware of itself and its independence and revolution was in the air on the island.
A few months before the first edition of the “La Aurora” had began, a newspaper aimed at the working class. The creators of this newspaper were those who supported the creation of the job a reader for the tabacco factories to enlighten and educate workers.
At first, all workers paid a fee and took turns to be the reader, who ever read got paid their share of the fee of that everyone paid as they did not get paid for working in the factory while they were reading.
Since then, readers have continued their work, but not only do they focus on ideological texts but texts of all kinds like classic novels. It’s no wonder that some of the most famous cigars bands are called as the protagonists of the great classics: Montecristo, Romeo and Julieta,…
The today’s reader
Gradually the trade was professionalized. After the revolution the position was officially created in factories and readers were no longer the cigar rollers themselves. Readers were sought to have clear voices and skillful in reading. Also a organization was created to decide which readings should be read to the workers.
The aim of the readings remains the same as at the beginning: to enlighten, educate and dignify workers, strengthen ideology and to motivate work.
In the year 2012 Cuba declared the trade of “el lector” Cultural Heritage.
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