First edition of the Canchánchara Festival. Tradition and Culture

A new event affirming Cuba and its traditions: Canchánchara Festival. Tradition and Culture. The first edition of this festival will be held from 8 to 10 December in the village of La Santísima Trinidad, World Heritage Site, City of Craft and Creativity of the World, National Monument of Cuba.

This event, promoted by Empresa de Grabaciones y Ediciones Musicales, Egrem, at the suggestion of the artist José López Santander, aims to defend cultural values through the promotion and marketing of cultural products and services of excellence, in harmony with an authentic musical movement that favours the exchange of experiences between local and foreign musicians.

In a press conference, its creator, ceramist and promoter, said that cuisine would join forces with La canchánchara, the 40th anniversary of the premises also named after a jar made of Trinidad clay by the Santander family, of which he is a proud member. Handicrafts, music, visual arts, tourism – all a celebration and homage to a creative city.

Many personalities from the Egrem catalogue will take part, such as Issac Delgado, Haila Mompié, Waldo Mendoza, Maikel Blanco, Luis Campa and Mauricio Figueral, who will perform with Cuban artists in the galas on the steps of the city centre over three nights. There will also be serenades and jam sessions to enjoy the music of Trinidad. The venues are La Canchánchara, Plaza Mayor, Casa de la Trova, Palmares Trinidad, Santa Ana and Teatro de la Caridad.

Pepe López Santander explained that the canchánchara is the first truly Cuban drink. It originated in the cold early mornings of the Cuban countryside of the mambises (guerillas) in the 19th century, during the wars of independence, as an extraordinary elixir to warm the body and survive the weather and the heat of the conflict.

This exotic drink (rum, lime and honey) has become an added value to the cultural product of Trinidad. It allows the revival of customs and invites you to stop along the way to drink it and enjoy the best of Cuban traditions.

Located between the sea and the mountains, the city of Trinidad has been captivating visitors for more than five hundred years. Its culture and popular traditions include the canchánchara.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez