The history of tobacco

<span>The first encounter, known so far, between the Old World and tobacco was on the year 1942 in a friendly gift ceremony offered to Christopher Columbus by Guanahaní Indians from one of the islands of the Bahamas archipelago.</span> Read More

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The Chinese doctor did really existed

He lived at the end of the 19th Century in Cuba. He was one of the many fearless people from the Oriental land that immigrated to this island in pursuit of fortune. His name was Cham Bom Biam. He began his medicine studies in his native country until he decided to venture in a contract to make agricultural work in Coliseo at Matanzas province. Read More

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Cuban Christmas

When the revolution triumphed and as part of the disagreements between the new government and the church, Christmas time like any other religious event was victim of a complete amnesia by the authorities. Even, ten years later was officially prohibited the celebration of Christmas and claimed that the measure was taken to prevent people to distract their attention from the work in the sugar cane harvest which were the most important for them. <br /> Read More

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Hanabanilla, nature and legend

A picturesque and exuberant place is located in the central part of the island known as Hanabanilla that means small gold basket in aboriginal language. Although a deposit of this valued mineral has never been found in this area, it does not mean that the aboriginal people would not have it. This place owes its name to the incomparable natural values that treasures it. <br /> Read More

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Obbatala, the king of Orishas.

<span style="font-family: &quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;">Obbatala is the Orisha of highest level, because he was the first to descend to the earth materializing Olofi, therefore he gave life to others.<span> </span>The etymology of his name is "king of all saints".<span> </span>His main mandate is the good for all and he mediates among the Orishas since his word is law and he is respected as such.<span> </span>He represents all that is true, wise and fair.</span> Read More

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First Latin-American cemetery outside a church

The funeral traditions have always distinguished the different civilizations throughout the history of humankind. Since far-off times this kind of rituals, including the burial, were carried out in religious temples. All human being would find there the ideal place for the eternal rest, the location inside the church depended on the social status of the dead person. This type of custom went to the detriment of the public health and the well development of the religious ceremony. Read More

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Wilfredo Lam painted the jungle in wrapping paper

The greatest human genius paradoxically have always lived and died in the abject poverty. Cuba is not an exception regarding this. That is the case of one of the transcendental painters of the island although with an Oriental surname, Wilfredo Lam. Read More

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The baptism of Havana streets

According to History, after the constitution of the Havana Town Council in 1603, alderman Juan Recio expressed his concern due to the disorder in which the city was being built and the need to name the streets as a guide for the location of the future buildings. Read More

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The Habana's Fountains

The oldest fountain is Fuente de los Leones located next to San Francisco de Asis Convent, in the square of the same name, between the Oficios and Avenida del Puerto streets. It was brought from Italy in 1836 sculptured by artist Giuseppe Gaggini. It is made of white marble. It is a striated column with four lions supported by pedestals. It offers a beautiful view of the water falling from the mouth of the lions, surrounded by hundreds of pigeons, carriages and people walking. Read More

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Thousands of Cubans make pilgrimage to sanctuary honoring St. Lazarus

Thousands of Catholic Cubans expressed their faith and devotion to St. Lazarus by making a pilgrimage to a sanctuary in El Rincon, located less than 20 miles west of Havana. The devotion to St. Lazarus, known in Cuba as the miraculous saint and sometimes called "Old Lazarus," is one of the island's deepest. Read More

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