Four hundred and ninety one years after the founding of the Villa of San Cristóbal de La Habana, the oldest part of the city is decked out for the celebration. Concerts and exhibitions, among other proposals, have been included in the program that will turn the capital into the place to attend presentations of the most varied artistic expressions, among them weekend concerts in various parts of the city’s historic area.

On November 12, at 7:00 p.m., the Ars Longa Early Music Ensemble directed by Teresa Paz paid tribute to Havana at the Paula Church.

The following day, at 4:00 p.m., Diana Rosa Cárdenas, Bryan López and Roberto García, along with the chamber orchestra directed by Eduardo Díaz, performed, at the San Felipe Neri Milagros de los Ángeles Oratory, pieces by Juan Piñera, Guido López-Gavilán, Eduardo López-Marín and Roberto Valera, several of which were interpreted for the first time in Havana and in Cuba.

That same day, but at 6:00 p.m., the San Francisco de Assisi Minor Basilica opened it doors to the Solistas de La Habana chamber orchestra, which, conducted by maestro Iván Valiente, and with the participation of guitarist Rosa Matos, were part of “ConCiertos Habaneros” (Havana Concerts), a cultural proposal that each year pays tribute to the city on its anniversary.

Celebrations began on November 15, at 6:00 p.m., with a traditional ceremony on the day before the city was founded almost five decades ago, held from the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales to the Templete, where the city historian delivered a speech dedicated to Havana.

That day, hundreds of Havana residents went to the Templete to honor the city. Gathered under the shade of the ceiba tree, they asked the patron saint to grant them three wishes.

Standing out among the exhibitions dedicated to Havana is “Huellas en la ciudad,” (City Marks) inaugurated on November 17, at 4:00 p.m., at the gallery of Lombillo Palace. Nine sculptors of various generations and aesthetic expressions (Aramís Juztis, Guillermo Estrada, Guillermo Ramírez Malberti, Jorge Romero, Julio César Moracen, Lázaro Navarrete, Osneldo García, Pedro Pulido and René Negrín), presented environmental projects for different spots of the city. The exhibition shows the common will of artists and curators to revitalize public spaces with the presence of contemporary fine arts.

Likewise, on this date, the tabloid Cultural Program of the City Historian Office celebrated the 10th anniversary of its creation. This publication came to light in November, 2000, as part of celebrations for the founding of the Villa of San Cristóbal de La Habana. On its pages, it has reflected the dynamics and development of cultural life on the capital’s historic area, generated on its network of museums, house-museums and cultural centers.

Another activity scheduled to celebrate the founding of the city is the tour “Havana, a marine city” slated for November 20, at 10:00 a.m. Participants will leave from the Mural Painting Museum and will get to the Archeology and the Real Fuerza Castle museums and the seafront.

Reservations for this tour can be made at the Cultural Information Center, on 8 Oficios Street, by calling 866 4035 or by writing to the following address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Translate by Telma Rodríguez

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