Page 71 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

Festivals and Holidays ❮❮ 69

Oct 8, Anniversary of
7 TOP 10 LOCAL FESTIVALS
Che Guevara’s death
Santa Clara’s Plaza de la Revolución
and the Monumento del Che (see
p39) are the setting for a wreath-
laying cer emony in the presence
of key political leaders.
Oct 28, Memorial to
8
Camilo Cienfuegos
Schoolchildren in Havana march
to the Malecón (see p14) to throw
“a flower for Camilo” into the sea
on the anniversary of the death
of Cienfuegos (see p41). This revolu- Parrandas in Remedios
tionary commander went missing in
1959, when his plane disappeared 1 Holguín (Jan), Semana de
Cultura Holguinera
during a night flight. There is also The town comes alive with a medley
a parade to the sea at the Museo of cultural activities.
de Camilo Cienfuegos in Jaguajay,
Sancti Spíritus province. 2 Camagüey (Feb), Jornadas
de la Cultura Camagüeyana
This city celebrates its founding with
much fanfare.
3 Trinidad (Easter), El Recorrido
del Vía Cruce
Catholic devotees follow the ancient
“way of the cross.”
4 Las Tunas (Jun), Jornada
Cucalambeana
Singers compete in décimas – ten-
syllable rhyming verses – to honor
this composer.
5 Cienfuegos (Aug), Festival
Internacional Benny Moré
Celebrated every other year to
Ballet Nacional de Cuba honor Benny Moré (see p59).
Nov, Festival de Ballet
9 6 Santiago de Cuba (Aug),
Festival de Pregón
For 10 days biennially at the
end of October, Havana’s Gran Teatro Citizens converge on Parque Céspedes
to recite traditional songs and verses.
(see p77) plays host to brilliant ballet 7 Guantánamo (Dec), Festival
performances featuring leading del Changüí
international dancers and ballet An excuse to party as son groups
corps. Host ed by the Ballet Nacional perform (see p58).
de Cuba, the festival is one of the 8 Trinidad (Dec), Fiestas Navideñas
major events in the cultural calendar. The journey of Mary and Joseph
is re-created.
Dec, Festival de Nuevo
0 9 Rincón (Dec 17), Procesión
Cine Latinoamericano
Cubans are avid movie goers, and the de los Milagros
The orisha St Lazarus is honored
highlight of their year is the Latin in this pilgrimage.
American Film Festival, which 10 Remedios (24–29 Dec),
screens a variety of art-house films Parrandas
and documentaries from around the Two sides of town duel in a firework
world, as well as works from some contest (see p95).
of Cuba’s own top directors.

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