Rutas y Andares Celebrates 25 Years: Highlight of the Havana City Historian’s Office Cultural Program

The Rutas y Andares project, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, is the focal point of this month’s Cultural Program organized by the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana (OHCH). Among the main activities are the Miradas al patrimonio documental series, the celebration of France’s National Day, stage performances at the Abdala Center, and the vibrant Plaza Viva events.

Launched in 2001 as an initiative to highlight the work of the Office’s institutions, Rutas y Andares has become a cornerstone of Havana’s summer cultural offerings. Every year, it brings together multiple generations to explore the Historic Center, connecting the public with the city’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

From July 8 to August 30, the program will include special visits to newly completed restoration works that, during the previous summer, were still in progress and open to the public mid-restoration.

This year’s edition will once again feature some of the most popular walking tours, as identified by audience surveys: Cecilia Valdés’ Havana, churches, stained glass windows, archaeology, colonial fortresses, and more.

Also on the program is Miradas al patrimonio documental, a series of audiovisual presentations curated by the OHCH’s documentary heritage division. Experts will discuss topics such as sustainability, the San Isidro neighborhood, and OHCH’s accessible archives—featuring a photographic experience—as well as the history of two iconic buildings as told through property records (Amillaramiento).

On the afternoon of July 11, France’s National Day will be celebrated at Casa Víctor Hugo with a French music concert featuring several ensembles, including the Santa Cecilia wind quintet, performing La Marseillaise and Ode to Joy, the poem by Friedrich von Schiller immortalized by Ludwig van Beethoven. The Women’s Society project will also inaugurate an art exhibition showcasing works by female visual artists, complemented by a dynamic lineup of chamber music, dance, a fashion show, and interactive art experiences.

Theater and Performing Arts

At the Abdala Cultural Center, adjacent to the Martí Theater, the initiative Mujeres en escena will spotlight female creators as part of the international cooperation project “Promoting Culture as a Tool for Social Transformation in Havana’s Historic Center,” with a focus on gender, participation, and environmental sustainability. The project is jointly implemented by OHCH and KCD ONGD, with support from the Basque Agency for Development Cooperation and Solidarity.

Plaza Viva: Music, Color, and Community

On July 4 and 18, Plaza Viva will fill Plaza Vieja with music, color, and celebration. This Friday’s edition will serve as the launch of the Rutas y Andares 2025 campaign. Museums and cultural centers will present exhibitions, while women-led entrepreneurial ventures will host fairs alongside cultural performances, sports demonstrations, and culinary offerings. At 6:00 p.m., La Colmenita—the renowned children’s theater company led by Carlos Alberto Cremata—will stage an interactive show titled La Colmenita en Rutas y Andares.

The second installment, Plaza Viva en musical, will deliver a festive close with the show De vuelta al musical, featuring excerpts from iconic productions such as A Chorus Line, The Wizard of Oz, The Phantom of the Opera, Cabaret, Singin’ in the Rain, My Fair Lady, Cats, Chicago, Evita, and New York, New York, all under the direction of Alfonso Menéndez.