Monday, January 18, 2010

The Holguin Culture Fiesta

Each January the people of Holguin celebrate the Culture Festival, an important event held in this province to celebrate the 258 anniversary of Holguin being granted the title of City and Seat of Government.

This time the event was held from January 13 to 18, and it was dedicated to the 51 Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and homaged poet Lalita Curbelo Barberán and Doctor in Medical Sciences, Pura Aviles Cruz. A photo exhibition about Lalita Curbelo´s life and work, as well as lectures and visits to the house where she was born, presently a cultural complex, were some of the activities developed.

The program of activities also included a parade from the house of Lieutenant Governor to the Calixto García Park, the opening gala in front of the Culture Center, the opening of the City Hall, the granting of Music Awards and a tribute to distinguished personalities of the city.

The traditional parade was attended by the authorities of Culture, the Government and the Party. The gala, featuring groups and soloists such as Golden Voices, Ernesto Infante and Martha de la Paz, recalled two prominent figures: the late poet Lalita Curbelo Barberán, who is honored, and Dr. Pura Avilés.

After the cultural event of Thursday afternoon, activities were multiplied: Workshops on History, craftsmanship fairs, panels examining the work of poets, book sales, literary café, exhibitions, theatre plays and music.

During the event, the fourteenth City Hall was opened to fans of the Visual Arts on Saturday in the Provincial Culture Center.

This event of the Arts has provided the necessary space to display the creative work of the growing number of painters, sculptors, engravers and photographers born in this city and that today distinguish our visual knowledge, nationally recognized.