Don’t you just love having excuses to go somewhere to enjoy yourself? Festivals in various parts of the world have become must-sees in most tourists’ lists. Tourists flock in these different countries and continents to have a taste of what is known to be different to them – they want to experience life and the many cultures it holds.
Usually Americans and Europeans love colorful and artistic events which are deemed to be normal for locals, but overwhelming or amazing for the visiting guests. Cuba has two official festivals – one that takes place in December, and another one that takes place in May. What are these festivals? These are festivals that fall under the category of Art and Literature, Theater and Film, Culture, Music, Exhibitions, and Entertainment. What are these festive parties, a.k.a. festivals?
The New Latin American Cinema Festival
This is a yearly festival that is held in December of each year in the wonderful city of Havana. Its history brings you back to 1979 when it was first held. Its history brings you back to 1979 when it was first held. Screenings take place in the various Havana cinemas and showcase the very best film from Latin America. The focus is mostly on new cinema, wherein up-and-coming directors are given a chance to show their movies to a big audience. If you love movies, if you are an artist, you’ll surely love this!
The Havana International Guitar Festival
This festival is held in May, and in various venues throughout the city of Havana. The biennial Havana International Guitar Festival invites all players from all over the world to perform at this fun event. Passionate crowds gather as Cubans, noted for their love for dance, music, and culture, get ready to see the various styles and genres that the international musicians have to offer. How popular is it? Very popular indeed! You don’t believe it? Well, take this in: because of its raging popularity throughout the city, tickets usually get sold out well in advance of the day! So if you are a visiting tourist who wants to experience this, you’d better book early; otherwise, you won’t have anything to see, or in this case, to hear, at all.
The Carnival
No one is certain how this started, but this is the main festival of Cuba! This used to occur every year from June to late August – a date that coincides with the times when schools are on summer holiday! This festival is said to be practiced to ward off bad spirits. Now, it is a three-day festival in Havana, and it is celebrated in different times of the year in the different places in Cuba. This stands to be an important date in every Cuban’s calendar because of their nature of being music lovers and party enthusiasts.
Liberation Day
Although January 1 is celebrated as New Year’s Day around the world, it is not in Cuba. This day is known to be Liberation Day! This is the day on which Fidel Castro overthrew the corrupt Cuban regime; a day to be remembered.
So can you party like the Cubans? Join them and have the fun you have always dreamed of!
