What’s up in Cuba: May 2022
We’re at it again – giving you a monthly dose of what’s been Another month, another blog! Here’s our shortlist of news, trends, and events in Cuba for May 2022. Enjoy!
01 May Day (1st of May) Parade in Havana
After a three-year hiatus, Cubans took to the streets to celebrate International Workers' Day. Thousands of health workers marched to also recognize the success of the country-wide vaccination campaign which includes three homegrown Cuban vaccines. Unlike past May Day parades, a large number of private businesses represented those marching. Between November 2021 and May 2022, over 3,000 private businesses and cooperatives have been approved by the government. Surely, there will be more to come!
02 Saratoga Hotel Explosion
On May 6th, the Saratoga Hotel, one of the national icons of Cuban culture, suffered what is believed to be a gas explosion resulting in 46 fatalities and nearly 100 injured people. Celebrities including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Madonna stayed at this historic, five-star luxury hotel during the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the U.S. The destruction of the Saratoga Hotel is a tremendous loss for Cuba, as well as the number of lives lost and injured victims.
03 May 17th
In Cuba, May 17th is recognized not only as Farmer’s Day but also as International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. This coincidence offers a juxtaposition between the conservative, machismo mindset of some Cubans and the more progressive LGBTIQ+ community in Cuba. May 17th serves as a reminder of the evolving nature and complexity of Cuban society.
04 Biden administration reverses Trump’s measures
On May 16th the Biden administration announced to reversal of several Cuba policy measures taken under the Trump administration. They include lifting the cap on family remittances, currently $1,000 per quarter per person, and increasing business with independent Cuban entrepreneurs. The Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, which has not taken on new cases since 2016 leaving 22,000 pending applications in limbo, will be reinstated. In addition, group people-to-people travel for will be allowed again, together with the restoration of flights to Cuban cities other than Havana.
05 Cuban Pulitzer Prize Winner, Ada Ferrer
The Cuban historian and academic, Ada Ferrer, just won a Pulitzer Prize for her book Cuba: An American History which explores the long and complicated relationship between Cuba and the U.S. According to Ferrer, it’s “a chronicle written for a moment that demands a new reckoning of both the island's past and its relationship with the United States.” The book is available for purchase on Amazon.
06 Cuban Family Code Referendum
From February through the start of May this year, Cubans both domestically and abroad submitted feedback on the new draft law of the Cuban Family Code. Feedback included “modifications, deletions, additions, and/or doubts.” Cubadebate, the Cuban official media, reported a total of 397,000 proposals, with 61 percent of them being “favorable.” However, this doesn’t mean the vote for the new code is guaranteed. Only part of approximately 6.5 million Cubans who must vote participated in the popular consultations. On June 17th, the National Drafting Commission will submit a final draft of the Code to Cuba’s National Assembly and establish a day for the referendum vote.
07 Havana World Music Festival
The largest alternative music festival in the Caribbean kicked off this month – each year for three days, Havana World Music (HWM) transforms the Cuban capital into one of the most musically-charged cities in the world. For many, especially young Cubans, this is the favorite music event as it attracts many not only local but international, artists and visitors. Since 2014, people have been able to enjoy renowned artists and groups including Juan Formell y Los Van Van, Roberto Fonseca, Havana de Primera, and many more. This year, artists include Carlos Varela, X Alfonso, Haydeé Milanés, Héctor Téllez Jr. and Nube Roja.
08 Instagram of the Month: @jibaro_cuba
If you like denim and original clothing design, we suggest you follow @jibaro_cuba. This fashion project is run by young, Cuban artist, _Marlon Roy White Luna, who creates handmade, personalized designs using primarily recycled denim. He states his brand is “a gesture of freedom expressed in baroque and graphic pieces that connect two universes – the biblical worldview and postmodern society.”
09 Music of the Month: Album Cha Cha Chá: Homenaje a lo tradicional
This May, we want to highlight an album we love – Cha Cha Chá: Homenaje a lo tradicional by Alain Pérez, Issac Delgado, and Orquesta Aragón which won a Latin Grammy Award last year for the category of Best Tropical Traditional Album. Available on Spotify (or wherever you get your music), we highly recommend you take a listen. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
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!
