Havana turned 500 on November 16th, 2019! Malia Everette, CEO and founder of AltruVistas, talks about what it was like to be there for the celebration. Plus, our journey leaders and travelers report back with pictures and quotes!
Hi Malia! What was it like to be in Havana this November for the 500th birthday celebration?
The November celebrations were an outpouring of art and culture—everywhere we went there were open galleries, public displays, outdoor concerts, neighborhood gatherings, and music! At the Plaza Vieja (a UNESCO world heritage site) I saw opera, a dance troupe, live bands…. Performers came from other provinces of Cuba, and there was a wonderful national feel of celebration.
Having traveled back and forth to Cuba since ’91, I’ve witnessed the gradual, incremental beautification and restoration of the city of Havana. Being there this past November 15th and 16th, as well as during the week prior, was so wonderful. There were so many new buildings lit up, along with iconic spots like El Capitolio (the National Capital Building) and the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña (18th century fortress). It all was an incredible reminder of the cultural resilience of Cubans, and the hard work and dedication of the City historian’s office that has been behind so much of the last decade of renovation and restoration in Havana.
How many people traveled to the celebration on journeys curated in partnership with AltruVistas?
We organized six delegations to Cuba, plus we worked with a group of doctors who were there for a conference. We had 76 people on the ground, plus 3 Altru staff!
“There was a celebration with dancing in the streets, lights in the sky, cellphones, and genuine camaraderie. Crowd was a human traffic jam at some points. Main thoroughfares closed to traffic and open for walking. A special time to be in Havana, for sure!”
What’s important for folks to know about the history of Havana?
November 16, 2019 is the day that Havana officially turned 500. The actual name of the city as founded by the Spanish in 1519 was San Cristóbal de la Habana. Of course, we must remember that indigenous Cubans such as the Taíno inhabited the island long before the Spanish arrived. If you’re inspired to dig deeper into the history of this port city, this article is a good jumping-off point for post-1519 history.
“The evening of the anniversary—November 16th—the city was so full of revelers that it seemed all of Havana had turned out for the celebration. I remember crossing Galliano, with its dazzling illuminated constellations suspended across the road, seeing people dancing in the streets. It was one of those days when I wished I could be everywhere at once: at the Capitol for the fireworks, walking on the Malecon, listening to the bands in Old Havana. But as the Yiddish proverb goes, ‘You can’t dance at two weddings with one behind.’ But what a wild time it was. We had a great group, and I think all of us realized that we were visiting Cuba for a truly historic occasion.”
What do you think is the best birthday present to give Havana?
The one thing that those of us in the US can do as a birthday gift to Havana is to be in support of lifting the US embargo! Bill Camp’s group, Building Relations with Cuban Labor, has been working with Cuban-Americans who’ve been part of the diaspora to get out the vote and change the administration!
Daytime Capitol Building and Classic Car Photos by Laura Belzer
All other photos Joe Guerriero/Road Warrior Productions
Used with permission of the artists — all rights reserved
