CubaPLUS Magazine

Cubans feel that they have a lot to express on a day like the one dedicated internationally to celebrate Art, to be celebrated on April 15.

The rich potential of the Island in the matter has always shone, inspired by the corresponding muses in manifestations such as music, the fine arts, acting in general, and dance, just to mention perhaps the most important ones.

We would say, in our modest opinion, there are two fundamental axes in which Cuba takes art to practical means: of course, the one that has to do with professional work and specialized personnel, and a second no less important way, which is the educational work developed within the national education system, linked to the schools where children, adolescents and young people study.

But there is still a third one, popular today, that of promoting art in the communities.

The broad movement of art instructors founded in Cuba on April 14, 1961, at the initiative of the leader of the Revolution, has been decisive in the effort to bring art to primary schools, secondary, universities and workplaces.

Since then, and with a special revival from the 80s of last century, they have maintained sustained work, together with the municipal, provincial and national art schools scattered like hotbeds throughout the country.

Just to mention a few achievements, today the nation is proud of the existence of a National Ballet of Cuba, founded in 1948 under the name of Alicia Alonso, but which could only grow from 1959 onward. Likewise, the Cuban Institute of Art and  Cinematographic Industry, a solid lyrical and theatrical movement with protagonists throughout the country and a powerful sector of the plastic arts that shows its achievements periodically on stages such as the Havana Biennial.

Cuban folk and popular music, vast and rich, always evolving and dazzling natives and the world. In pandemic times and despite so many regrets, times is good for Cuban art in this 2022. Long live its followers!