Cuba’s festival scene would be incomplete without the vibrant Fiesta del Fuego (Fire Festival). Visitors to Santiago de Cuba can take in the dance and celebrations while being near some of Cuba’s most interesting monuments and natural treasures. Read on to learn more about the Fiesta del Fuego and what else the region has to offer.
What is Cuba’s Fiesta del Fuego
This 3-day festival that takes place annually in Santiago de Cuba is considered one of the 10 must-see festivals in the world. It features street dancing, exhibitions, night parties, and Cuban music, highlighting the cultural expressions of the Caribbean.
The carnivals and parades begin in the morning and last until late in the evening. The Fiesta del Fuego, also known as the Caribbean Festival, began in 1981, and it pays tribute to a different country from around the region at the beginning of July. It attracts visitors from Australia, Hungary, Israel, and many others.
What to expect at Fiesta del Fuego
The festival kicks off with a majestic cultural gala at the Heredia Theatre. There is not a single cultural institution in Santiago de Cuba that is not involved. Still, the main event of the festival is the Fire Parade which takes place on the final evening. Paying tribute to Cuban beliefs, the parade begins with a ritual salutation to Nzambi Congo, a supreme god in the Palo Monte religion. With hundreds of drums echoing in the background, the festival attendees burn a huge effigy of the Devil, which symbolises the liberation of good and happiness and marks the start of a big street party.
Everybody is welcome to join in the dance and celebrations. Street parades and congas are held throughout the city. About 2,000 artists and intellectuals from as many as 18 countries take part in the Cuban Festival del Fuego every year. Delegations from all countries of the Caribbean get together here at the beginning of July. Different concert venues are organized and dedicated to traditional music, theatre, dance, and religious ceremonies. Food stalls and children’s games are also available, making the festival suitable for all ages.
History of the Fire Festival
Even though it was first initiated in 1980, the first Festival del Fuego was officially organized in 1981 by the intellectual Joel James Figarola. He was also the founder of the Casa del Caribe (Home of the Caribbean), an institution that initiates a range of versatile events involving Caribbean traditions and the environment.
Joel James Figarola was an important Cuban intellectual, essayist, and writer. He also founded a magazine called ‘Del Caribe’ and wrote countless articles, stories, and historical works related to Cuban culture and traditions.
Each year the Fire Festival is dedicated to a different country or a group of countries that links the Caribbean tradition to its African roots, creating a mixture of cultures and nations that inhabit Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city on the island.
Visiting Santiago de Cuba
The Fire Festival is the second largest event in the city apart from the famous Santiago Carnival at the end of the same month. These festivals celebrate the long history of Santiago, which was founded in 1515 in the south-eastern part of Cuba.
Santiago de Cuba is also known as The Cradle of the Revolution or The Balcony of the Caribbean. The city saw Fidel Castro proclaiming the victory of the Cuban Revolution in 1959 from a balcony in the city hall. Santiago is also the birthplace of the world-famous Bacardi brand and is home to the San Pedro de la Roca citadel. The monument is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List as the best-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture.
The climate is warm all year round, but the best time to visit is during the so-called dry season, which lasts from November to April. The summer months of July and August are very pleasant and hot. This time of year coincides with the school break and can be considered the island’s festival season.
Extend your stay
If you spend enough time in Santiago de Cuba, there are a few spots you should visit outside the city.
About 20 km west of Santiago, you will find the famous Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Cobre. This church is visited by numerous pilgrims every year. People take the journey to this sacred site in an effort to pay homage to the Virgin of Charity. This is also the place where Ernest Hemingway left his Nobel Prize for “The Old Man And The Sea” as a religious offering.
A holiday in Santiago de Cuba would also be a good opportunity to see the Spanish fortress of Castillo del Morro, which rises above the bay of Santiago. It provides a stunning view of the bay and houses the Museo de la Pirateria (Museum of Piracy).
For those into hiking and trekking, the nearby Sierra Maestra mountain range offers easy access to Pico Turquino — the highest peak in Cuba at 1,974 meters. It is located 130 km west of Santiago de Cuba, with a long hike trail that can last 2-3 days or a short one that takes just 4 to 6 hours.
Another interesting spot to visit close to Santiago de Cuba is Cayo Granma, a charming fishermen’s island with no cars and hotels. It features a sandy beach and a small park where locals come to play domino. The island is well worth a visit as it has a good seafood restaurant. It only takes 15 minutes to walk around the entire island, which has a total population of about 750 people.
Final thoughts
Santiago de Cuba is undeniably one of the best places to visit in Cuba. If you book your holiday in July, you will be able to fit both the Fire Festival and Santiago Carnival in one go! Even with so many parties on your schedule, you will have the chance to lounge at the white sandy beaches of Cuba or even venture into one of its National parks.
Love Cuba is the UK’s leading Cuba holiday specialist. Click here for more info on Cuba holidays, Multi Centre Cuba Holidays or Tailor Made Cuba Holidays please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of Cuba holiday specialists on 0207 071 3636 or email enquiries@lovecuba.com
