What’s up in Cuba: April 2022
April and May are two of the most beautiful months of the year, and the flowers make Cuba even more colorful than it already is. Image by @dolis_alf
We’re at it again – giving you a monthly dose of what’s been up in Cuba! So without further ado, here’s our shortlist of news, trends, and events on the island this past April 2022.
01 Havana International Book Fair
After being postponed twice, la Feria Internacional del Libro 2022 is back with in-person action! The event was held at the Fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña, and the guest of honor this year is the country of Mexico. As the biggest literary event in the country with hundreds of millions of Cubans assisting throughout the week of book presentations, expositions, and cultural activities. After the event ends in Havana, it will travel throughout the island ending in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, often lasting through June. Featured below, are a few snaps from the event by our Communications Consultant @dolis_alf
02 Springtime in Havana
Even though Cubans really only recognize two seasons – wet and dry – due to the equatorial location of the island, there’s no denying it’s springtime thanks to the budding and flower-filled trees that abound. April and May are two of the most beautiful months of the year, and the flowers make Cuba even more colorful than it already is. Here are some of our favorite photos of floral displays around Havana neighborhoods.
03 New Family Code Referendum
Cubans have been debating the new legal framework of the Family Code to implement in the coming years. The debate has shown deep differences between conservative and progressive Cubans. This month, all Cubans must vote for or against a referendum for the New Family Code that would bring major changes to Cuban civil law. The vote will impact marriage equality, homo-parental families, parental responsibility, surrogacy, family care, and whether adolescents may continue to marry before 18-years-of-age which dates back to 1975.
04 Reopening of Fábrica del Arte Cubano (FAC)
The Fábrica del Arte Cubano (FAC), one of the biggest and most diverse cultural centers in Havana, recently reopened its doors after two years of closure. For those who don’t know, the FAC is a former cooking oil factory that has since gained acclaim as one of Havana's hippest spots. This artistic laboratory often features Cuba’s best talent in its mixed-use space including music and dance venues, restaurants and bars, an art gallery, and a cultural center all under one roof. Although some Cubans are still reticent about COVID-19 restrictions and the current hyperinflation, the nightlife is slowly but surely picking up and the recent lineups include Síntesis, Eme Alfonso, Cimafunk, Gretel Navarrete, David Blanco, and PAUZA.
05 Reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Havana
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba confirmed that in May, Havana will resume limited immigrant visa processing with a focus on applicants in the IR-5 category (parent of U.S. citizen). According to the U.S. Embassy in Cuba website, the resumption of these applications is the first step in “expanding services, and continue to evaluate, as conditions allow, an increase in visa services in Havana.” The embassy assures that “the Consular Section of the Embassy in Havana will continue to provide essential services to U.S. citizens and limited emergency visa processing for non-immigrants.”
06 Emigration Crisis in Cuba
Cuba is experiencing one of the biggest emigration crises in its history. According to El Toque, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reports that more than 47,000 Cubans have entered the U.S. through various border points within a matter of five months. Cubans have also been leaving the country through Nicaragua as a free visa was approved. By the end of 2022, this mass exodus by land and sea could rival that of the 1980 Mariel Boatlift when approximately 125,000 Cubans arrived in the U.S. Currently, numbers have already surpassed the Balsero Crisis of 1994, in which over 35,000 Cubans crossed the Florida straits on makeshift rafts. Read more here.
07 North American Farmers Denounce U.S. Embargo on Cuba
A delegation of farmers from the U.S. Agricultural Coalition for Cuba (USACC) participated in a U.S. - Cuba Agriculture Business Conference in Havana this past April. According to Reuters, the farmers stated that restrictions from the U.S. embargo on Cuba limit their food sales and ability to compete in the Cuban market. In 2000, the U.S. modified its trade embargo with Cuba to allow for food sales, but it still denies credit payments. Meanwhile, Cuba suffers intense food shortages and inflation which has only been exasperated by the Russian invasion and war in Ukraine.
08 Instagram of the Month: Follow @mentoras_creativas
For April, our recommendation is to follow the female-led project @mentoras_creativas. This non-profit organization promotes the empowerment of women in creative industries in Cuba. Specifically, it supports female talent development of practical business skills through mentorship, workshops, and talks led by other women in the industry. It’s a great example of positive social impact organizations in the country.
Music of the Month: Voyager by Iván Melon Lewis
The album Voyager by Iván Melon Lewis won Best Latin Jazz Album at the Latin Grammy Awards. For more music recommendations, check out Vistar Magazine’s full list of “The 20 best Cuban music albums in 2021.”
Did we forget something? It’s not easy to cover a whole month in Cuba, so we are happy to hear what suggestions you may have. And please let us know if this information was useful/interesting to you!
