Photo Feature

To make a portrait is to bring out what is hidden inside. It is to capture a look, a smile or grimace, without posing. This means doing so with images, not what people say, but capturing all they have to say: their life, their story, their happiness and hardships.

La Casa de Africa museum in Old Havana is a cultural institution that showcases African roots, which, united with the Spanish, conform much of the Cuban national culture. The institution was founded on January 6, 1986 and has a vast collection of ethnography from the African continent. The following shots by Elio Delgado are from an outdoor celebration for its 23rd Anniversary.

Caridad’s lens takes us to some of Havana’s many parks where children play and friends and lovers meet up in the late afternoons. They are also often used for reading, exercise, to exhibit large sculptures and as a short cut for pedestrians and people walking their dogs.

Each December 17, hope takes over a place called El Rincon outside of Havana. Hundreds, thousands of people come in a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of San Lazaro, the healer. They arrive with suffering on their faces, but later they smile because they have done their duty.

Several elements combine during the annual cinema fest that gives it the power to transform Havana, almost magically.These include the pleasant December weather with temperatures of 20-25 Celsius; the sea of people of all ages hustling from one theater to another; the chance to run into famous directors and actors on any corner, and side cultural activities including expositions, book launchings, concerts and conferences.

Cape San Antonio is the far west of the Cuban archipelago located on the Guanahacabibes peninsula. It’s where Cubans can see the last rays of the sun; where few people live because nature resists being tamed. Click to see some great pictures.