But arguably the most powerful event at the biennal was Cuban performance artist Tania Bruguera’s presentation at the Wifredo Lam Center on the evening of March 30. Standing behind a podium, she invited anyone in the standing-room only audience to come to the microphones and speak for one minute. Cubans rushed to the occasion, shouting “Libertad,” while actors placed doves on their shoulders (a reference to Castro’s l959 victory speech when a bird landed on his shoulder, suggesting divinity to his supporters).

Indeed, “Libertad” seemed to be on the minds of many visitors to the biennial, particularly the countless Americans who, thanks to a recent easing of Bush-era restrictions by President Obama, swooped down on the island in great number — enjoying a warm reception from locals eager to know when the embargo will end.