Captivating Cuba

Cuba comes alive at Christmas time; my colleagues have written about the season here and here; the island becomes a joyous place, and they were obviously sad not to be here. But I take a more proactive view; While my compatriots prepare for the ensuing festivals with their usual gusto, I invite you to join me in looking past this festival season, to gaze into the New Year and see the delights that Cuba has to offer you in 2009.

February - the Havana Jazz Festival

Cuba moves to a Cuban rhythm. The toes tap, the heart pumps and the people dance. The true spirit of Cuba is seen in the Havana Jazz Festival, where the legendary Jazz played in our bars and clubs expands. In February this Cuban beat lifts the roofs of all the houses in the city, and comes onto the streets with a riotous party atmosphere of music. We now have Chucho Valdes as the artistic director, and together with the best players in the country we show tourists the life's blood of Cuba and, for the length of your stay, allow you to join us in what it means to be a Cuban.

Image courtesy of Flickr under creative commons licence.

July - Havana Carnival and the Santiago de Cuba festival

Separate festivals. Separate parts of the island. The same wild, colourful and distinctly Cuban spirit. The Havana Carnival and the festival in Santiago de Cuba are vibrant and fun for everyone involved. The Carnival has 'comparsa' perform one after another in a parade, each group organised from Havana neighbourhoods. The neighbourhoods practise for months, and the rivalry adds to the brilliance of the performance of the parade. Concerts erupt on the Melecon and good food and drink are available to all.

The only excuse not to be there is that you were at Santiago de Cuba, where another festival takes place at the same time. More of a street party than an organised festival with parade, the Santiago de Cuba Festival is like one long party with short breaks for sleep. The best time to visit and see the festival is between the 24th and the 26th July.

The truly dedicated will start at one party and move to another, with the most dedicated of revellers going from one to the other and then back again.

As for the rest of the year, I shall leave you in suspense until closer the time, but I will be here for all of the festivals and holidays, eager for you to join me at all the parties.

Your man in Cuba,
Hector Gonzales

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