CUBA 50 Celebrating Cuban Culture / JUNE 2021

All the latest cultural news from Cuba and what to see from the UK

Cubadisco: Cuban music industry awards – celebrating the diversity of music being produced on the island

The Cubadisco 20-21 awards went ahead online this May: more categories, nominations and winners than ever, with music for every taste. From Jazz to trova, timba to rumba. Big awards went to jazz musicians Gastón Joya and Rolando Luna, and dance music maestros Manolito Simonet and Adalberto Álvarez, but you can also get a taste of those who have touched the nation during the pandemic like Duo Cofradio and young emerging stars here

Buena Fe’s Israel Rojas interview on the politics of their music

The heartfelt songs of super successful pop fusion group Buena Fe are well known across the island. Thoughtful lyrics which critique daily life, and include tributes to scientists and health workers, are not the obvious themes for pop but singer-songwriter Israel explains here precisely what he thinks of the blockade and what drives his music

Cuba's University of the Arts celebrates 45 years

"Because this is the work of all of us" was a phrase used by Fidel Castro at the birth of Cuba's foundry of creative youth in Havana. Known for its distinctive architecture and its production of generations of innovative and talented young people in music, visual arts, film and video, dance and theatre. The university in its current form celebrates 45 years this year,

Salvador, Cuban muralist and founder of Callejon de Hamel remembered

Have you visited the Callejón de Hamel to see the rumba? Salvador González Escalona, the celebrated Cuban mural artist of Callejón de Hamel community project in Havana died at the end of April, leaving an indelible mark on Cuban culture. Read more about his art and legacy and watch a film of him explaining his work here

Transcultura: Uniting the Caribbean through jazz

For international jazz day on 30 April a spectacular concert took place in Havana/online led by the brilliant Cuban musician Roberto Fonseca with his band of uber-talented Cuban musicians and a stellar line-up of stars from across the Caribbean - all with the aim of promoting and uniting the region through music, under the banner ‘Transcultura’.

WATCH the concert here

Try some Cuban coffee direct from the Sierra Maestra mountains

Altura Sierra Maestra Cuban coffee is grown in the high Sierra Maestra mountains of Eastern Cuba. Strong with a clean, rich soft flavour and hint of honey. Freshly ground, for all coffee makers, or coffee beans for your perfect grind.

browse here

UK EVENTS COMING UP

Blondie: Vivir en la Habana, Sheffield Doc Fest 4-13 June

In 2019 the legendary US band Blondie was invited to perform in Havana as part of a cultural exchange. This was a 40-year dream come true for band members. This documentary was the result and premieres in the UK this June

Carlos Acosta ‘On Before’, UK tour, 16 July-7 August

Live performance is back! Catch this Carlos Acosta ballet/contemporary dance show in a mini UK tour this summer

Norwich 16-17 July, Salford 21-22 July, Southampton 3-4 August, Canterbury 6-7 August.

‘Whose Tradition?’ Tate Liverpool, from 14 November

Artworks by Cuban artists Wifredo Lam (1902-1982) and Belkis Ayón (1967-1999) will be included. Both artists, in their own decolonising ways incorporated their Afro-Cuban heritage and culture in their art to create new visual languages.