Party at the International Salsa Festival in Cuba

For three years I have not enjoyed cultural activities with many people because the pandemic deprived us of that human warmth. We missed massive festivals, carnivals and other activities that bring together a large number of people.

arriving at the festival

In just fifteen days we have participated in two of these activities with a large audience (The International Book Fair and this festival) and I recognize that it feels incredible. It is true that in these times we had birthday parties, work celebrations; family activities, but the number of people who participated in those activities was small.

This weekend's activity

From February 23 to 26, Cuba hosted the sixth edition of the International Salsa Festival. An event that gives prestige to popular dance music and brings together dancers from many parts of the world. This festival had to be suspended for the aforementioned reason and there were many expectations to see how this edition would be held and the participation of the public.

musicians' stage

In my case, I had never been able to attend a festival of this type and I admit that I thought that history would repeat itself because attending this event is somewhat complicated due to the invitations that are made, the sale of tickets and other factors beyond my daily activity and that of my wife.

However, as music lovers and eager to be among many people to enjoy a big party we got into the adventure of the festival, not knowing if we could get into the party.

The festival adventure

When we left home on Saturday, February 25, the clock struck 8:17 in the evening. With no tickets or transportation available and somewhat far from the site my wife and I ventured out. We went determined to try to buy the tickets and be able to listen to the best salsa music orchestras in the country, dance, fraternize with colleagues, drink some beers; in short, enjoy ourselves as if we were at a carnival.

Arrival at the festival venue

part of the public

After taking a public transportation to take us close to the place, we arrived and Saturday's show had already started. The Anacaona Orchestra, composed exclusively by women, was playing. When we asked if we could get in we were told that we had to wait in line and buy tickets. We had 49 minutes in line, but we managed to get in and in the end it was worth it.

Experiencing the festival

I cannot describe in words the pleasant moments we experienced and how happy my wife and I were during those eight hours and fifty-three minutes we spent at the Club 500 Cultural Center:

my wife

• We danced to the sound of several first class orchestras that we had not enjoyed live for a long time and others that we did it for the first time.

• We listened to good musical interpretations of our interpreters and others who came from Venezuela, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Italy, Spain, United States and other countries to accompany the Cuban musicians.

• We tasted some of the food sold at the festival and enjoyed the cold beer in my case and the piña colada in my wife's case, who in our case is a companion of our parties and dances.

• We fraternized with several colleagues who had not done it for a long time and this was a great time to do it.

At 4:23 in the morning, after having a great time, we left for home, very tired from dancing and everything we did, but eager to repeat the experience.

the author refreshing

Final thought

This festival brought together a large number of people from our country and many from other parts of the world. Within this sea of people that gathered for this mega event, my wife and I were there enjoying all the activities offered by the festival program.

It is true that we could not be in the area where the guests and the people who were able to reserve tickets in advance were, which limited us to see and enjoy closely all the participating artists, but the location of giant screens allowed us to see them, not so we could take a picture or a greeting from any of them who are true idols of my wife and me.

It was very stimulating to participate in this festival and we have already made the commitment to be in the seventh edition. Was it the best weekend of this year? Maybe not, but it was the most exciting. Thanks to life for letting me live moments like these.

Note: All photos were taken with my Samsung J2 phone.
I'm sorry that due to the quality of my camera the night pictures don't have the required quality nor that the flash was able to capture my favorite artists due to the distance we were at.