Get out your spray cans! Graffiti is encouraged at this street party! Viva Cuba Libre!
When: 26th July every year.
Where: All over Cuba but especially Santiago de Cuba (or Havana).
All over Cuba on 26th July, the day that the Cuban revolution began is commemorated in a true Cuban carnival style but the best place to be is Avenida Victoriano Garzón, in Santiago De Cuba. Banners, posters and placards line the street and it seems everybody is actively encouraged to spray Communist graffiti!
On this day in 1953 160 poorly armed rebels lead by Fidel Castro (close friend, confidant and fellow revolutionary of Che Guevara) attacked the Moncada Barracks in Santiago and the barracks in Bayamo. The rebel survivors were captured soon afterwards, among them Fidel Castro and at his trial he spoke for nearly four hours in his defense, ending with the words; “Condemn me, it does not matter. History will absolve me.”
Celebrations last for three days, although there’s a build up for weeks before hand especially in Santiago where summer is Carnival time due to all the Saints days. Many parties also evolved out of the Fiestas de Mamarrachos held on June 24th (St. John’s Day), June 29th (St. Peter’s Day), July 24th (St. Christine’s Day), July 25th (St. James the Apostle’s Day) and July 26th (St. Anne’s Day).
Cuban Food & Drink
Eat Ajiaco, a Cuban chunky meat and vegetable stew. Drink Cuba Libre (Free Cuba!), a cocktail of rum and Coke with lime.
Travel to Cuba
Santiago has its own international airport or you can fly into Holguin (99km away). Book flights and hotels with ebookers.com. You may need to search for flights and hotels separately.
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From Cuban travel books and holiday reading to binoculars and And don’t forget the camera!
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Enjoy your trip! And when you’re home we’d love you to come back and tell us all about it!
Viva Cuba Libre by donaldvanschilt, on Flickr
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