Marking its 40th anniversary, the XV Havana Biennial has solidified its place as Cuba’s most significant visual arts event, serving as a platform for artists worldwide, particularly those from the Global South.
Held from November 15, 2024, to February 28, 2025, under the theme “Shared Horizons,” this edition featured 172 Cuban artists and nearly 250 international participants. The program included approximately 200 exhibitions, numerous workshops, conferences, and more.
The event concluded at the Wifredo Lam Center for Contemporary Art, where Nelson Ramírez de Arellano, president of the organizing committee, stated that more than half a million people engaged with the Biennial’s works from November through February.
He also expressed gratitude to the countries that supported their participating artists, including Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina, as well as Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Germany, Norway, Japan, and China.
Ramírez de Arellano acknowledged the efforts of artists, curators, institutions, managers, and professionals who contributed to this edition’s success. He also extended an open invitation for the next Biennial in 2027, under the theme “Reimagining the South.”
Celebrating four decades of existence, the 2024 Biennial expanded its activities beyond Havana, reaching over half of the city’s municipalities, as well as the provinces of Matanzas, Las Tunas, Cienfuegos, Holguín, Pinar del Río, and Camagüey.
The extensive program included collaborative and educational activities for diverse audiences, including children, adults, and individuals with special needs. One of the event’s highlights was the theoretical symposium at the National Museum of Fine Arts, which brought together 43 top-tier participants. Another major attraction was Detrás del Muro (Behind the Wall), a project that celebrated Havana’s 505th anniversary by transforming the southern sidewalk of the Malecón into an interactive artistic space.
Among the many key venues of this edition, the Estación Cultural de Línea stood out with its exhibitions. The National Museum of Fine Arts, in both its Universal Art and Cuban Art buildings, and the Wifredo Lam Center for Contemporary Art also played central roles.
Additionally, the Biennial was featured at the 33rd Havana International Book Fair, held from February 13 to 23.
CubaPLUS Latinos
CubaPLUS Guyana
CubaPLUS Travel