Havana Biennial
First held in 1984 as a political exercise to showcase Third
World visual arts for First World art tourists, the Havana Biennial
has proved itself a worthy event attracting dozens of artists who
exhibit their works over a two-month period in the Cuban capital.
In recent years the art fest has been dogged by withdrawal of
sponsorship because of a government crackdown on cultural freedom,
and censorship. The dates are therefore continually moving, but the
exhibition continues to be held every two or three years, the last
event having taken place in November 2003.
Venue: Several galleries and sites in Havana’s old colonial centre;
Date: To be confirmed
Havana Carnival
Parades and street parties, colourful costumes, wild dancing and
traditional music. Cubans really know how to throw a party and for
several weeks each year they do, the fun and frolics reaching high
levels over weekends when the locals put their toil and trouble
away and bring out the rum. Carnival comes with some traditions,
like effigies of well known people being paraded along the coastal
road, the Malecon, and the gaudy 'faroleros', decorated lamp posts
carried aloft by dancers.
Venue: El Malécon promenade;
Date: August 2008, TBC
Cuba Jazz Fest
International Jazz Festival
Held every two years, Havana's feast of jazz is eagerly awaited
by fans around the world, offering four days of concerts, jam
sessions and workshops. Many artists travel to Cuba to perform
without any remuneration, the event having gained a prestigious
reputation for quality and good organisation. Star of the show is
Cuba's own Chucho Valdes, who usually performs with other local
artists and international guests in the grand finale concert on the
final night.
Venue: Various concert halls in downtown Havana, with impromptu jam sessions in the streets;
Date: November/December 2008, TBC
