As part of the Celebration of Cuban Culture and activities to honor the 90 years of life of the great Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso, last week a special get together was held with young people at the Pavilion Cuba in Havana with this arts legend. (19 photos)
Read MoreSinger Omara Portuondo, actress and director Veronica Lynn; the city of Havana historian, Eusebio Leal; pianist and composer Frank Fernandez, editor and critic Ambrosio Fornet, radio program writer Alberto Luberta, and playwright and cultural promoter Ramon Silverio received the highest distinction granted by the youth organization. (20 photos)
Read MoreWhen I was a little girl, people used to tell me amazing stories about Cuba prior to the 1959 revolution. I found the work of “shoeshine boys” to be almost the most terrible thing they described.
Read MoreThe 14th International Livestock Fair took place in Rancho Boyeros, Havana earlier this month. Representatives of firms from Germany, Argentina, Spain, South Korea, Panama, Switzerland and host Cuba were on hand to see the eight days of exhibits and competitions. The fairgrounds are the oldest in Cuba founded in 1933. Here’s a look at what took place. (26 photos)
Read MoreCubans, in their customary greetings, usually say that they’re en la lucha (in the struggle). There’s even a popular joke that maintains that Cuba’s national sport isn’t baseball, but…the struggle. (19 photos)
Read MoreIssuing from the special plantations in the western Pinar del Rio Province, these cigars —possessing no rings to indicate their brand— were first produced for the exclusive use by members of the Council of State (to smoke or to hand out as gifts). It was in 1982 that Celia Sanchez Manduley christened them their present name, which is what our indigenous ancestors called rolled tobacco. (25 photos)
Read MoreThe Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra opened its concert “Connections of Jazz between the USA and Cuba” on Wednesday with the “African-American Cuban Suite,” a piece by Cuban-born Chico O’Farril. It was played for the first time in our country and applauded enthusiastically by everyone present. (10 photos)
Read MoreIf you prefer lavish hotels and being pampered by the service staff, I wouldn’t recommend you stay at Havana’s Hotel Deauville. But if your hope is to enjoy a spectacular view of Havana, then I don’t believe there’s a more appropriate place to accomplish that aim.
Read MoreIn addition to the clarinet and all its musical family, Ernesto knows the mysteries of the sax. He composes and on this occasion directed a fine group of young musicians: Michael Olivera (drums), Jorge Luis Pacheco (piano), David Falla (bass) and Alejandro Delgado (trumpet). (15 photos)
Read MoreThe Our Lady of Mercy Church in Old Havana dates back to the 18th and 19th century and was built by the Mercedario Fathers who immigrated to Cuba from Catalonia. Their assets were expropriated by the Medizabal government and expelled from Cuba in 1841. Thus they had to abandon their monumental work, leaving it half finished. (25 photos)
Read More