CAMAGÜEY.- From October 10th to 20th, the city of Camagüey will once again be the stage for Cuban Culture Day Celebrations, a space that this year stands out not only for its lineup of events but for its profound meaning in the current context. In the midst of the precariousness and uncertainty that Cuba is going through, it becomes the refuge of who we are and what we can resist as a people.
This year's celebration highlights important milestones in the province's life, such as the 105th anniversary of the Provincial Concert Band and the 45th birthday of the Luis Casas Romero Professional Art School. Both institutions are guardians of our artistic traditions and inexhaustible sources of talent and hope.
The day will begin with a gala at the Teatro Principal featuring the school's students, who will also perform on the 11th and 12th. The closing ceremony at Agramonte Park will be an emotional exchange between the Provincial Band and these young artists, symbolizing the continuity of the legacy.
In addition, the 120th anniversary of the birth of Alejo Carpentier, one of the most influential figures in our literature, is being commemorated. Added to this are Regina Balaguer's 45 years of career, as the director of the Ballet of Camagüey, and the two decades of the José Martí Brigade of Art Instructors, which by defending the community stage makes culture an accessible right for all.
In the current context, culture is more than entertainment: it is an act of resistance. As Kenny Ortigas, provincial director of Culture, expressed, "that each activity does not lose its essence or dignity."
The program, although moderated by the circumstances, is a space for meeting and reflection. Among the highlights is a craft fair on October 17th on Calle de los Cines and Parque del Gallo, which will close with a performance by the Orquesta Maravilla de Florida. In addition, the Cuban Fund for Cultural Assets will present the Enlace expo sale, with an exhibition and catwalk in Parque Coppelia, which will close with a collection offer for the business sector at the Hotel Santa María.
The Ecos de Adoquines event, in its fifth edition, together with the Salón de Plástica on the 18th at the Galería Fidelio Ponce de León, and a popular art fair on the 19th at Plaza Maceo, will offer spaces for exchange between artists and the community.
The culmination of the celebrations will be the long-awaited Rumbatéate, a great rumba party from October 17th to 20th, with groups from Havana, Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba, and Camagüey.
In general, rather than a succession of events, the Cuban Culture Day Celebrations in Camagüey should be an opportunity to stop, reconnect with our roots, and reaffirm our identity.
Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez