Culture & Society

Cuba

Cuba has an undeniably vibrant and rich culture resulting from its unique social and political history. Its diverse customs are based on those of the Latin American, European, African, and indigenous peoples that have called Cuba home over the years, with present day Cuban culture heavily influenced by its turbulent political past, ranging from the Spanish colonial times, to being a playground of the rich and famous of the West in early 20th Century, and more recently the Fidel Castro-led revolution of the 1950s.

The communist political and social revolution has been the most influential factor in recent years, with the government playing a leading role in society. As a result, the strong Catholic influences and Spanish cultural and religious traditions present in other former colonies, are less prevalent here. Whilst it may seem as if time has stood still since the revolution, with Cubans having had to overcome many difficulties, the revolution has also had a positive impact on everyday life. Healthcare and education are free in Cuba (with life expectancy and adult literacy rates both being very high) as is day care, resulting in a substantial portion of the workforce being female. The creation of the Ministry of Culture in 1976 led to an explosion in the number of libraries, museums and cultural centres offering education in all branches of the arts. Cuba’s cultural achievements are often regarded as one of the successes of the uniquely Cuban approach to modern day communism with performing arts, notably dance and music, being celebrated around the world.

More unexpected is the legacy of the 1950s American culture that still manages to survive, seen in the national passion for baseball and in the plethora of vintage American cars, doubling as taxis, that line the streets of Havana.

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