By: Giselle Rodriguez

This year professionals from various industries around the world are going to participate at the 26th Havana International Trade Fair, to be held on November 3-8. Several headlines announce the presence of 457 companies from 53 countries from the five continents at this event. Spain, Germany, Canada, USA, China, Brazil, and Italy will be strongly represented, to be attended by 19 official delegations, some of them headed by ministers and presidents of Chambers of Commerce or international institutions.

Participants from all over the world include commodity and processed food suppliers, organizations involved in IT and telecommunications, construction, machinery and equipment manufacture, and vehicle sales.

Cuba will participate with products and services of 317 companies from 22 sectors, where the basic and food industries will be the ones showing more products and services along with other exporting firms from the sector of biotechnology and genetics engineering. In addition, all of the most important Cuban governmental institutions, agents and businesspeople are going to be present at the biggest Cuban trade show. The Cuban Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation (MINVEC) will play a leading role in the search for new markets or exchanges.

The annual show will be held in Cuba’s largest exhibition center, ExpoCuba, located on the outskirts of the city, in a very nice rural surrounding, 25 kilometers southeast of Havana. ExpoCuba’s diverse and valuable infrastructure makes it the ideal place for super-exhibitions and conventions.

For foreign business men and women, FIHAV 2008 is a great opportunity to get recognition and visibility in the Cuban market by showing their products and services, and gathering with relevant Cuban companies and institutions, as Cuba will be represented with all of the governmental organizations dealing with international trade. Thus, participants will get the chance to make new contacts and strengthen existing ones, and to sign agreements as well. The fair also forms a unique possibility to get the broad overview of international players already present at the Cuban market.

FIHAV is also the right place to organize seminars and invite important Cuban companies, agents, and government representatives to share viewpoints.

For firms already doing business or interested in doing business in Cuba, FIHAV is a must as it is the major commercial event promoted by the Cuban authorities and associated procurement- importing entities.

The companies that display their supplies in stands at the fair will be in a better position to win contracts, subject to competitive terms.

Thinking about another reason to go to this event?

At FIHAV there is also a way to celebrate excellence in business. The 26th Havana International Fair invites all participants to be chosen for one or several awards. There is the “Giraldilla de La Habana” award, which is given by categories of best stand design (modular, free design, grouped firms, pavilion and participation) and there are the “Gold Medal for Product Quality” award, the “Product Design Award” and the “Advertisement Award”.

Plus, FIHAV 2008 is good news for cigars lovers!

New vitolas of the Belinda and Troya brands will be launched by Internacional Cubana de Tabaco S.A. (ICT) company at FIHAV 2008, due to the increasing demand in the world cigar market. The brand Guantanamera, whose cigars weigh more than three grams, will also be present at the fair.

So, if you are willing to either do business with Cuba or improve your commercial bonds with the mostly unexploited Cuban market, FIHAV must be your next travel affair and Havana city your upcoming Cuba destination.

There are plentiful Havana hotels with good deals for businessmen, entrepreneurs, traders, buyers and professionals in general, wishing to visit the Fair. Besides, for those travelers needing rest from all this commercial activity, the Havana beaches are only twenty minutes east of city. Hence, this can be a pleasant experience where business and pleasure can meet and guarantee a fantastic visit to Cuba.

Posted: November 3rd, 2008 under Cuba Events, Places To Go and Things To Do.
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Cuba welcomes and invites travelers from the entire world at this time of the year to the International Ballet Festival, one of the main and dearest events of its kind in the country. This year the 21st Ballet Festival will take place in Havana city during October 28 through November 6th, and is dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of the Cuban National Ballet (BNC in Spanish).

Cuba and specifically Havana city have become a very strong cultural center in Latin American and the Cuban National Ballet has gained world class recognition as one of the finest ballet institutions. Thus, it’s a great opportunity to savor a high culture experience in your next Cuba vacations.

Havana city is going to be a fantastic Cuban destination for those devoted to the art of dancing. The participation of acclaimed ballet companies and the performance of top dancers from around the world along with the BNC at the Festival are some of the appeals of this special event. During the past 46 years, more than 57 foreign dance companies from the five continents have taken part in the festival.

There are also many other reasons that make this event the perfect occasion to spend some quality time in Cuba. Havana city is the place of gathering for all ballet fans, choreographers and dancers from the different contemporary dance trends, notorious personalities in the history of ballet as well as critics and journalists. At the Cuban capital 847 ballets have been premiered: 217 world premieres and 630 premieres in the island.

Plus, the Festival offers multiple collateral activities such as photographic and fine art exhibits, conferences, film showings, stamp emissions, posters and book launchings. This event will also have the participation of its founder, artistic and technical director, the prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, the most remarkable figure of the Cuban ballet of all times.

What better occasion to visit Cuba?

The festival is not competitive, yet it has acquired great significance among the international events of its genre. Since its first edition it has been a fraternal space for artists and other specialists in the field, in order to enhance peace and friendship.

The first Havana International Festival of Ballet was staged in 1960 and became a biennial event from 1974, with more than 20 editions to date. It also happens to be one of the most prestigious ballet festivals in Cuba and one of the oldest and most important events in the dance world as well.
But, what is it to expect of this 21st edition?

A highly cultivated public will attend the event in different theatres of the Cuban capital and in other cities in the country, where the foremost dancers and ballet companies are going to be present. The performances are going to take place at various venues in Havana, including the Havana National Theatre, the Grand Theater of Havana and the Mella Theatre, among others. Yet, there’ll be performances in “El Sauto” theater in Matanzas province and also in Las Tunas city.

Moreover, some of the leading ballets in the repertoire of the Cuban National Ballet are going to be performed in parks and squares. Don’t miss it!

There are going to be lectures and exhibits at the National Dance Museum, while the Cuban Institute of Arts and Film Industries is going to offer the projection of featured and documentary films about ballet and other dances. Visitors will also have the chance to buy books on dance and classical ballet. But if you are fond of the plastic arts, then you should go to the National Fine Arts Museum, where there are going to be art exhibits in its premises, featuring works devoted to the theme of dance and ballet.

The principal venue is going to be the Grand Theater of Havana, the capital’s opera house, whose spectacular architecture and decoration is a feast to the eyes, and from its stage many famous dancers have gazed out across its footlights, including Fanny Elssler, Anna Pavlova and Maya Plisetskaya. Here you will enjoy the performances of “The Sleeping Beauty of the Forest”, an Alicia Alonso’s choreography based on Marius Petipa’s original.

From the chorographical point of view, Alicia will be presenting for the first time in Cuba “A la caída de la tarde” (As evening falls), and she also offered the world premiere of “Lucia Jerez”, the only roman written by the Cuban National Hero, José Marti. With this, the BNC is paying tribute to the 400th anniversary of Cuban Literature.

Ballet lovers will be delighted with the special performance of “Giselle”, that will remember the 65th anniversary of the first time the Cuban prima ballerina assoluta danced. Besides, the French choreographer Michel Descombey, who lived over thirty years in Mexico, will touch the audience with his choreography dedicated to Che Guevara.

There are going to be Spanish dance performances like “Flamenco Republic”, “Romancero Gitano”, “Mudéjar” and “Jaleo flamenco” for those who love that style of dancing.  On the other hand, classic enthusiasts will be pleased with the performances of “El lago de los cisnes” (Swan Lake), “Don Quijote” and “Shakespeare and his Masks” (orchestral adaptations on the tragedy Romeo and Juliet), all of them with choreographies of Alicia Alonso. Some of these functions will take place at the “Plaza de la Catedral” (Cathedral Square).

Ballet devotees will also enjoy the premiere of the documentary “60th Anniversary of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba” at the Opening Gala on October 28.

Another special moment of the festival is the world premiere of “A los confines de la tierra” (“At the earth’s confines”), which is the Award of Choreography CIC 2008 at the VI Ibero-American Competition. The Gala will take place on November 1st at the Grand Theater of Havana.

If this event draws your attention, there are many Cuba hotels in Havana for staying at for this special occasion, so find a hotel in Havana that better suits you. Go on and indulge yourself with the upcoming ballet extravaganza!

Think about discovering something unique and matchless in the land of the blue sky and the endless summer. Think about enjoying an unforgettable Cuba vacation!

Posted: October 23rd, 2008 under Cuba Events, Places To Go and Things To Do.
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By: Giselle Rodríguez

These days we see a festive atmosphere with a Mexican touch in Havana city. Tons of activities are organized in the Cuban capital within the celebrations of the Mexican national holiday, from September 13 to 20.

Mexico is a country of traditions and September is the month when we remember the day in which Mexico initiated its fight to become an independent country (Grito de Dolores). Given its near geographic location and the friendly relations, Cuba has organized a special event so all Mexicans in the Caribbean island celebrate their national holiday as if they were on their own country.

This Mexican day, in special tribute to the memory of Hidalgo and Morelos, the founding fathers of the Aztec nation, has been celebrated in main Havana spots like the House of the Américas and the House Benito Juárez at the Historical Center of the city.

Lovers of Mexican culture have enjoyed a week of Mexican cinema in the Sala Chaplin with the projection of the multi awarded films like “The Violin”.

Some cuba hotels are taking part in this culture event:

Occidental Miramar hotel, located in the modern neighborhood of Miramar, has organized several activities for those who want to enjoy the Mexican festivities. Last night there was a huge party at this hotel, where visitors and guests enjoyed a Mexican buffet, specially made by the Mexican chef Jorge Cordova from Occidental Hotels of Mexico. There was also a cultural show “From Mexico to Havana”, which presented typical dances, Mexican ballads, mariachis and boleros along with a Cuban musical band. Also Occidental Miramar provides, as a special offer, soups, starters, main dishes and desserts of the Mexican cuisine at El Patio Restaurant from September 12 to 19.

For those who prefer to celebrate the Mexican Day closer to the sea, the Comodoro Hotel, also located in Miramar, has organized an event that includes a great dinner and musical show, photo exhibitions of Mexican artists, sea and sport activities, fashion shows, opening of a Mexican food restaurant, Cuba-Mexico cuisine traditions meetings, Bolero nights and a week of Mexican cinema.

So what is left to do and see?

Today, September 16, is the Cuba-Mexico culinary festival at The Comodoro Hotel, where one can taste typical dishes and enjoy an encounter of cuisine traditions, with the participation of Mexican and Cuban chefs, as well as one night of boleros. Tomorrow a Cuba-Mexico cocktail meeting will take place at sunset.

The projection of Mexican films, the photo exhibitions of Mexican artists and the typical restaurant of food of the Aztec country will extend until day 20.

In addition the Contest of the Mexican Song will take place, on September 17 and 18, at the Astral Theater with 45 performers from the entire island.

On Friday 19 there will be a concert dedicated to Juan Almeida’s work, who is the author of the famous song La Lupe. The host of the concert is Héctor Téllez and it’s going to take place at José Marti’s Memorial at 3pm.

Also on September 23 you can enjoy the concert “Great voices of Cuba sing to Mexico” at San Felipe Neri Oratory.

This Cuban event has outstanding moments for all who wishes to join the big Mexican Party in one of the incredible destinations of the Caribbean, the lovely Havana city. So if you want to experience the cultural mixture of this two latin friendly countries, follow the program of activities and amuse yourself with the festivities of “Viva Mexico!”

Posted: September 16th, 2008 under Cuba Events, Cuba Vacations, Places To Go and Things To Do.
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