As the weather cools – a tad – Havana gears up for a brilliant calendar full of cultural events this coming autumn and winter. Think music, ballet, art, salsa, skating and film. Well, what are you waiting for?
Kick-starting this full-to-brimming cultural season is the international ballet festival – a biennial celebration of classical ballet and contemporary dance – with foreign ballet companies participating. Curtains open at theatres across the city. Find tickets and information are from the National Theatre on Revolution Plaza. Expect performances from the National Ballet of Cuba, under the directorship of Viengsay Valdés, the UK’s Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, Queensland Ballet and Canada National Ballet.
The 28th Alicia Alonso Havana International Ballet Festival runs from October 28th to November 10th this year.
Hot on the heels of the ballet dancers comes the renowned art fair, the Habana Bienal. There’s always a buzz about the city as art shows are mounted in galleries, studios and in plazas. And sculptures are erected in public spaces, too. Performances take place in parks and squares, too. The Malecón is turned into a huge open-air art space with multiple works for the always exciting ‘Detrás del Muro’ (Behind the Wall). This year the magic runs from November 15 through to February 28th next year. The 15th Habana Bienal programme is not yet published but highlights include emblematic works of previous bienals on show at former tram station – Línea Cultural Station (Línea Street and 18th Street, El Vedado). Some 240 artists from 57 nations are due to take part. Tickets and more information are found at the Wifredo Lam Centre alongside the cathedral in Old Havana.
Baila en Cuba is for those who take their salsa seriously. Learn from dance maestros during the festival which runs from November 17-22. And, for those interested in Cuba’s arts and crafts, the annual artisans’ fair FIART is held from December 2-15. All the works and crafts are unveiled at the Pabexpo exhibition centre and the Línea Cultural Station. The streets will get a little busier, too, from December 9th to the 15th when Cubans celebrate the second Speed Master Championships for skaters.
In December, cinephiles flock to Havana for the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema. Expect razzle, screenings at several cinemas in El Vedado neighbourhood, and parties in the Cuban capital from December 5 for 10 days. This year’s festival has seen more than 2,000 movies submitted. Find tickets and programme information at the festival’s base in the Hotel Nacional. One or two Hollywood stars always show up for the event adding a little bit of extra stardust to the event.
December also sees a second outing for the capital’s vinyl festival Havana RPM which shakes up warehouses on the dockside in Old Havana. Organised by Guámpara Music, expect all the best tunes and cool vibes on December 13 and 14,
Autumn and winter are wonderful times to visit Havana and are perfect months in which to tap into the wealth of Cuba’s creative culture. Not visiting until January? Time your trip for the annual jazz festival from January 26 to February 3. Music fills venues – inside and out – across El Vedado neighbourhood.
Well, there you have it. Each of these Cuban cities offers a unique slice of the country’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant atmosphere, and historical charm – some of which you may have never considered visiting before. Want to learn more about somewhere we’ve mentioned or get advice on which city to travel to and when? Our dedicated team of Love Cuba experts is on hand to help, on 0207 071 3636 or enquiries@lovecuba.com.
