Despite a nighttime blackout, a large group of Cubans took to the streets of Havana for an impromptu conga line, dancing and singing with enthusiasm. "Cayo Hueso heats up with the conga; there's no light, no water, and even less food, but the conga never stops," shared a Facebook user named Ofun Meyi Oneseven, who posted a video of the event.
Comments from other users revealed that the conga took place on Oquendo Street, between San Miguel and San Rafael, in Central Havana. Participants, some holding drinks, danced to the beat of drums and the sound of a Chinese horn, chanting, "Stop making things up with Cayo Hueso."
Men, women, and even children joined in the lively celebration, momentarily escaping the harsh reality of power outages and widespread scarcity. One comment on the post highlighted, "Cubans have a unique charisma and joy, always remaining sociable, talkative, and friendly despite the challenges."
"Let's enjoy it; we're used to the blackouts," added another participant. In recent days, social media has seen a surge of videos portraying Cubans maintaining their musical spirit and zest for life despite adversities.
One such video on Instagram, shared by user Shaylor xx, features an elderly man singing and dancing in the street as young people on a balcony join in the chorus. "Despite the difficulties we face, our innate joy never fades," remarked the video's creator.
The situation in Cuba reveals a stark disparity, with Havana often receiving more state resources compared to the rest of the country. Blackouts in the capital are fewer than those in other provinces. For instance, the local Electric Company announced that on Monday, the longest power cuts in Havana would last five hours, whereas those in the interior could exceed 20 hours.
Meanwhile, the regime continues to host extravagant international events amid the country's ongoing crisis. In the past two weeks, Havana's Capitol hosted an opulent celebration for the XXV Festival del Habano, featuring a lavish dinner, performances, and the global debut of the H. Upmann Magnum 50 Gran Reserva Cosecha 2019 cigar.
Earlier, the city welcomed the ninth edition of the Salsa Festival at exclusive venues like Club 500 and Hotel Memories Miramar, featuring iconic national bands and artists from the United States and Peru. These events have faced harsh criticism, especially from those in other provinces enduring long blackouts and food shortages.
Understanding Havana's Power Outages and Public Spirit
Why are power outages less frequent in Havana compared to other Cuban provinces?
Havana often receives a larger share of state resources, which results in fewer power outages compared to other provinces in Cuba.
How do Cubans maintain their spirit despite economic and social challenges?
Cubans are known for their resilience and ability to find joy in music and dance, which helps them momentarily escape and cope with daily hardships.
What criticism has the Cuban government faced regarding recent public events?
The Cuban government has been criticized for hosting lavish events in Havana while many citizens in other provinces suffer from long power outages and food shortages.