Continuing a tradition that goes back to the Colonial period, in 1993 a group of young Cuban artists decided to revive these “romerias” (al fresco religious festivities) that announce the arrival of springtime. These festivities are presided over by Taino Axe and the Wooden Cross, symbols of the blending of elements (indigenous and Catholic) that gave birth to the configuration that is Cuban culture. In the pursuit of such aims, every year musicians, actors, researchers, visual artists, writers and dancers from all over Cuba gather together to come face to face with their artistic and literary endeavors during intense days and nights demonstrating the heterogeneous diversity of their proposals. Originally celebrations would take place at the foot of the Cross that Father Antonio Alegria had erected on May 3 of 1790 at the summit of a 275-foot high hill. Together with the area’s inhabitants, Cuban and foreign artists join together to enjoy a marathon of a program of activities that take in many locations in the city. This year’s version will be dealing with topics referring to the regional cultures, bridging the generation gap, the avant-garde art forms of the youth and traditions and modernity.
Oct 30, 2014
