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Photos: Yoel Benítez Fonseca/Adelante

CAMAGÜEY.- The first day of the San Juan in Camagüey was treated as a festive occasion with a large celebration with the tradiional ajiaco. On the afternoon of June 24th, neighbors and families have come together to have a great time and to savor one of the tastiest dishes of the Cuban cuisine.

On Manuel de Quesada street, between Independencia and San Pablo, Julia Fernández Martínez, a charismatic 69-year-old woman is the main organizer of activities in her neighborhood.

“Every year, we prepare the ajiaco, it is the way we have to celebrate this beautiful custom with each other”, Julia claims.

“I am in charge of organizing everything. I look for the ingredients, mobilize the neighbors and prepare the broth myself”, she added.

And the fact is that the San Juan is the perfect chance for children, young people and adults to gather to make one thing, to celebrate with joy and to continue the tradition of our people.

“We dance, laugh, share. Children play. We all have fun between drinks and good music”, Julia says, “because those are our popular celebrations and the delicious ajiaco is part of the feelings of the people in Camagüey”.

Translated by Keila Novoa Ricardo/student