Floridita Travel

Baseball is a long time favourite and very popular sport in Cuba. It is a part of Cuba’s history and is even considered Cuba’s National past time. Thousands of fans attend every game and others keep tabs on what is going on. Baseball has even become an important part of Cuba’s new social system. It plays a vital role in towns, villages, factories, urban neighbourhoods and schools. Local and national competition is very intense due to the popularity among the Cuban residents of all ages and classes. Baseball plays an important part in the socioeconomic integration in Cuba. Fidel Castro even proudly plays baseball.

The history of Cuban baseball started with the Cuban Aborigines and they called it Batos. Baseball was played very frequently even after there the Spaniards colonized Cuba in the 15th century. In 1864, Nemesio Guillot, a Cuban college student in the US, liked the game so much in the US that he took it back to Cuba. He brought a ball and bat back to Cuba. Baseball then became very popular among Cuban residents, but the Spanish rulers barred it because they thought it was pro-American and anti-Spanish because Cuban residents preferred to watch baseball instead of bullfights. Baseball then became a social equality and freedom symbol throughout the first Cuban War of Independence. In December 1874, baseball began to be played officially in Cuba. The formal baseball league was founded in 1878 and it was the first league outside of the United States and Canada. Since it was founded, baseball continues to be a rich cultural sport and Cuba’s national team has been among the strongest in the world since it started playing international teams in the 1930s.

There is even a Baseball Museum that is located on the Latiamerican Stadium. The museum includes Cuban Baseball players’ bats, balls, and gloves if they registered on the Cuban Baseball history.

Cuba even ranks number 1 in the International Baseball Federation’s worldwide baseball rankings. The ranking systems gives points that are based on the how the country’s baseball programs have finished at endorsed events throughout the last four years or a time frame that consists of two IBAF Baseball World Cups. The United States was ranked second.

Cuba also won the World Cup in 2005 and a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics. Cuba was second in the 2007 World Cup and second in the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic.

Cuban people love baseball and everything that comes with it. They proudly watch international games and cheer for their beloved team!

The months of March and April are important months for Cuba as art lovers from all over the world congregate to enjoy the rich and vibrant history of Cuban and world art. The 10th Biennial Havana Art Festival is a celebration of 25 years of involvement in the artistic presentation of world art and humour. This year’s theme is the ‘Integration and Resistance in the Global Era’ and all artwork has been selected to centre on this theme. At the same time the XVI International Graphic Humour Biennial runs from March 29 through April 2nd and showcases some of the local and worldwide talents depicting many contemporary themes in humour such as: general humour, political humour and satire, caricature, cartoon, and humorous photographs. Artists can present up to three entries in each category. Both events hold many exciting exhibitions, workshops, and conferences. The Havana Biennial will host speakers from many countries including Great Britain, Spain, Uruguay, Chili, the United States, and Cuba herself.

One highly anticipated exhibit is the ‘Latitudes, Artists of the World’ display by the French curator, Regine Cuzin, that presents many artists from all over the globe. Other exhibits will be ‘Tales from the New World’ a collaboration of Cuban artists headed by Humberto Diaz. The Havana Biennial is also host to theatrical presentations, music, and other festivities to delight its patrons.

Art is such an important expression of cultural and political events. It speaks to everyone regardless of race, culture, and language barriers. Events like the Havana Biennial give people of all nations a chance to get together and celebrate those themes that run through everyone’s lives and strike a common chord of appreciation. Two exhibits at this year’s event centre around foodstuffs and violence. These ever present sociopolitical subjects strike vibrant resonations deep inside people of every nation. Several other themes from past festivals still run deep and continue on this year to provide more thought provoking displays on subjects such as migration, and trans-territoriality. Subjects for debate are the artist’s displacement in society, and how it gives them a unique perspective on current trends and economies.

As always violence, war, and the conflicts of our societies in general are high on the lists of topics to be depicted, discussed, and considered. This is a global concern that can be examined from outside of its devastation and real impact through the eyes of artists giving their individual graphic opinions either through humour or other impressionistic means thereby allowing viewers to decipher for themselves the depth of meaning and real truths behind the human struggle. A workshop on art education, teaching, and its relevance in today’s society will give educators, parents, and students alike a chance to discus, evaluate, and argue the place and need of such instructions in the world today.

This event provides an exciting and enthusiastic display that gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy a world class art exhibit on their own level. Simply walk about and soak up the culture, or get involved in deep and invigorating debates. Art evokes great passions and deep thought and the Havana Biennial provides the perfect backdrop for those to truly shine.