CorHabana Festival and the 50th Anniversary of Cuba’s University of the Arts

The second half of June brings a vibrant cultural agenda to Cuba, highlighted by the 16th International Choral Festival CorHabana, which opens on June 18 at the San Felipe Neri Oratory. The inaugural concert will feature the National Choir of Cuba, conducted by Digna Guerra; the Luna Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Maribel Nodarse; clarinetist Alejandro “Coqui” Calzadilla; and the Música Eterna Chamber Orchestra, led by Guido López-Gavilán.

One of the season’s most significant events will be the graduation ceremony of Cuba’s University of the Arts, dedicated to the institution’s 50th anniversary and the centenary of Fidel Castro. The ceremony will take place at Havana Convention Center.

A literary highlight will be the presentation of Miguel Barnet’s Biografía de un cimarrón during the weekly Sábado del Libro event in Old Havana, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the landmark work. Also on that day, Teatro Utopía will premiere El baile at El Sótano theater in Vedado under the artistic direction of Reinaldo León.

This week, the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) will host several cultural events, including Moviendo los caracoles, which will explore radio sound design across contemporary platforms, and ContraCanto, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Cuba’s University of the Arts. During the gathering, UNEAC will present the Nicolás Guillén Diploma, the organization’s highest distinction. In addition, the Villa Manuela Gallery will open Alejandro Gómez Cangas’ exhibition Todo es mentira, ya verá.

Music programming will include a concert marking the 70th anniversary of the Roberto Faz Ensemble at the Casa de Cultura in Havana’s Arroyo Naranjo municipality. Another event organized by the Ministry of Culture will be the lecture Spanish Art at the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Tradition of Collecting in Cuba, presented by art specialist Manuel Crespo at the museum.

Meanwhile, organizers in Santiago de Cuba have announced details of the provincial La Edad de Oro Festival, to be held at the Raúl Gómez García House of Culture in the municipality of Baraguá.

Officials also confirmed that the National Crafts Fair Arte para papá will continue through June 20 at the Línea y 18 Cultural Station in Vedado.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez