The culture sector in Cuba began the year 2 thousand 20 with the 35th Edition of the International Jazz Plaza Festival, which took place in the provinces of Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
The event included in its cultural program: concerts, shows, art exhibitions, theoretical events and the inclusion of musical feedback projects between Cubans and foreigners.
The second month of the year arrived and with it the most important event in literature was the twenty-ninth International Book Fair 2 thousand 20, dedicated to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, as Guest Country of Honor and the National Prize for Social and Humanistic Sciences , Ana Cairo, and the National Theater Award, Eugenio Hernández Espinosa.
The book festival on the island presented new spaces, among which the Cuba Digital project stood out, sponsored by the Cubaliteraria publishing house, which calls on institutions, companies and publishers to create electronic products associated with reading and knowledge.
The Ministry of Culture in March as part of the prevention and confrontation measures against the new coronavirus, reported the decision to postpone artistic, national and international events, which involve large crowds of public.
In the same way, the shows in the main theaters, cinemas and music houses, among other cultural centers, were suspended; as well as concerts and dances.
This year Cuban musicians, faced with the pandemic that tried to extinguish hope in the world, had to rethink new ways of reaching their audience.
And then they became empowered by social networks and the media.
In fact, in 2,020 the emblematic Orquesta Aragón received the 2,020 Latin Grammy award in the Traditional Tropical Album category, with the album “Icon”, produced by the Puntilla Music label.
The Culture sector, together with all the people of Cuba, deeply regretted this 2,020 the death of Eusebio Leal Spengler, Historian of Havana and an exceptional man dedicated to the care and conservation of the nation’s heritage.
The eternal boyfriend of Havana will remain with us forever for his immense work reflected in a dozen books, essays, prologues and articles on history, art, restoration, and other topics.
The month of November arrived full of surprises in the field of culture in Cuba. The billboards in Havana and the rest of the country’s provinces were refreshed with the arrival of new activities.
The gradual reopening of leisure venues, and other art and culture spaces, favored the expansion of the offer of events in the Greater Antilles.
However, many others remain postponed. Online cultural activities also continue. However, physical events are gaining ground again. Little by little, Havana and the rest of the country’s provinces recover their usual rhythm of activities.
During this month, the media manipulation and subversive acts against Cuba by the United States were evident, which encourages and finances unscrupulous people against the country and its culture.
These provocations were immediately rejected by artists, writers, directors of the cultural sector, its institutions, and representatives of political and mass organizations who demonstrated in support of the Revolution.
In December, they outline a group of activities complying with health protocols to prevent Covid-19 infections.
Among them stands out the set of galas by the National Ballet of Cuba at the Gran Teatro de La Habana in homage to the great assoluta ballerina Alicia Alonso, on the centenary of her birth, actions that will last until 2 thousand 21.
The workers of the cultural sector in Cuba say goodbye to the year 2,020 with the conviction that their art will continue to be the shield and sword of the nation, supporting the phrase of the unforgettable Commander in Chief Fidel Castro.
