Page 70 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

68 ❯❯ The Top 10 of Everything

Festivals and Holidays

Jan 1, Liberation Day
1
New Year’s Day in Cuba is
celebrated as the day that dictator
Fulgencio Batista (see p43) was
toppled. Officially known as the
“Anniversary of the Triumph of the
Revolution,” the event is marked
by nationwide musical concerts.
Jan 28, José Martí’s
2
Birthday
Cubans celebrate the birth of their Children on José Marti’s birthday
national hero (see p37) with events
including readings of Martí’s poetry held throughout the island, as
and concerts. Children are integral Cubans proclaim their dedication
to the celebrations. to socialism and the Revolution.
Jul 26, National
Apr 19, Victoria
3 5
de Playa Girón
Revolution Day
The plaza and museum behind the A celebration of the launch of the
beach at Playa Girón is the setting Revolution of 1953 (see p37) is held in
for speeches, a wreath-laying a different city each year. Attendees
ceremony, and fest ivities to celebrate dress in black and red T-shirts –
the “first defeat of imperialism in the the colors of Castro’s revolutionary
Americas.” The holiday honors the movement – and listen to speeches
Cuban victory in the Bay of Pigs by Communist leaders.
invasion (see p37). Jul, Carnaval
May 1, Día de los
4 6
Many major cities organize a
Trabajadores
street carnival in July featuring live
As many as half a million citizens music and dancing. The biggest
march through Plaza de la event is in Santiago de Cuba (see
Revol ución (see p15), while Cuba’s pp30–31), where carnival season
leaders look on. Rallies that include climaxes with a parade of bands
the singing of patriotic songs are along Avenida Jesús Menéndez.

Revellers celebrating the Día de los Trabajadores

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