Heritage & Traditions

Havana turns 501 years between masks and the joy of living

By Mercy Ramos photos: José Meriño

With the same joy as always, despite the epidemiological situation caused by the new coronavirus throughout the world, Havana celebrates this November 16 the 501st anniversary of its foundation.

Friday the 13th, myth or reality

By Mercy Ramos

Friday the 13th is a fateful day for millions of people around the world as it is considered bad luck. There are several stories attributed to that thought.

Palacio de Valle, a jewel of Cienfuegos’ architecture

By Coco Simpson

The Palacio de Valle, located in the Punta Gorda area of the central southern city of Cienfuegos, is a jewel of Cuban architecture, reminiscent of Hispanic-Moorish art with Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque and Mudejar influences.

Callejón de Hamel, a relevant cultural site

PHOTOS: PRENSA LATINA, Y JULIO LARRAMENDI

Three decades after its creation, the Callejón de Hamel represents a prominent space within the Havana culture, as here one can find painting, dance and music that are part of the Cuban identity.

Beauty and elegance in Havana architecture

By Collete Laforet

Havana's architecture, indebted to European, Latin American and Caribbean styles, expresses among its constructions the beauty and elegance of a metropolis of high historical and patrimonial values.

Yayabo Bridge, an unprecedented national monument

By Mercy Ramos

Whoever visits the city of Sancti Spiritus, cannot miss the bridge over the Yayabo River, the only one of its kind that has been preserved in Cuba despite its almost 200 years since it was built.

Chorro de Maíta archaeological site, an encounter with the ancestors

Por Rose Ross

The archaeological site of Chorro de Maíta is a large location where remains have been found of ceramic farming indigenous societies recognized as Taínos or agro-potters.

One, two, three, what a cool step this is!

By Fabiana Matamoros

To the rhythm of drums and the most rustic instruments, the overwhelming conga moves. With colorful costumes, characters on stilts and dancers who give off pure joy, the event that invades the town of music and excitement shines on.

A day to celebrate the unity of nations

By Rose Ross

Since 1947, October 24 was proclaimed as United Nations Day, with the aim of publicizing the functions and activities that this organization develops around the world.

Education in Cuba-priority

By Mercedes Ramos, Photos: José (Tito) Meriño

For over five decades, Cuba has maintained one of the most comprehensive educational systems in the world, owing to the priority given to this important issue by the country’s authorities. It was agreed at the International Fair of Havana between the First Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dr. Rodolfo Falcón and the Director of Cubaplus Dominic Soave to have as Cubaplus content continuing articles on education.

The Canadian Mambí

By Marta Denis

The young William Ryan, born in Toronto, Canada, fought for Cuba’s freedom in the first independence war, the Ten Years’ War, as a Mambí or Cuban independence fighter until he was executed by a Spanish firing squad in Santiago de Cuba in 1873.

Mafia in Cuba, Part 2

By Antonio Pillo, Jr*

By 1936, Meyer Lansky (born Meyer Suchowljansky in Poland in 1902 and immigrating to the US as a child) had added a very successful gambling operation In Cuba to those in New Orleans and Miami. The Hotel Nacional Casino and the gaming tables at the Jockey Club in Marianao’s Oriental Park and at the Havana Racetrack were all run by Cosa Nostra associates and yielded huge profits for the Mafia families. Meyer Lansky imported skilled dealers and managers to make sure luck always favoured the house.

National Culture Day is celebrated in Cuba

Cubaplus

The National Culture Day, celebrated every October 20, is an important commemoration, since that day but in 1868 the Mambi troops took the eastern city of Bayamo fighting against Spanish colonialism and, for the first time, the people intoned the notes of the national anthem.

Sauto of Matanzas, a theater with history

By Julia Muñoz

The Sauto de Matanzas Theater, a National Monument since October 10, 1978, is a paradigm of the great works of Cuban architecture. It is one of the most relevant theatrical coliseums in Cuba, recognized as a symbol of the city for its splendor and for being the venue of wide-ranging national and international festivals and events.

The best celebration of October 15, wash your hands well

By Mercy Ramos

Washing your hands well has always been one of the most recommended hygienic measures to preserve human health and, at present, it becomes even more necessary, I would say, essential to avoid contagion and even save lives, due to the danger Covid-19 represents for everyone.