Arab Culture Week in Cuba kicks off in the capital to the rhythm of flamenco
The morning session featured performances by dancers Ayleen RodrÃguez FernÃĄndez, prima ballerina of the flamenco company Ecos, and Amanda RodrÃguez GonzÃĄlez, from the Cuban Soho. Photo: GZF
By: Gabriela Sarmiento
The celebration of the Arab Culture Week, Havana 2024 began with a lecture by scholar Carlos VelÃĄzquez FernÃĄndez, âFlamenco dance in Havana: Exploring its connections with Arab dance.â
VelÃĄzquez stressed the importance of cultural exchange spaces to promote and preserve the Arab heritage and cultural legacy on the island.
He told the audience that Havana was the center of reception and expansion of flamenco as an artistic tradition. It originated in southern Spain during the 19th century.
Its roots run deep in the musical and dance traditions of Andalusia, particularly those of the Romani, Arab, and Jewish communities that inhabited the region for centuries.
In this regard, he paid tribute to the late city historian Eusebio Leal for his tireless work and deep interest in Cuba’s cultural diversity and historical roots.
Speaking about Leal’s legacy, he said that âbringing people together, uniting them, was and has always been one of the guiding principles of Eusebio Leal, as well as of those who have directed the House Museum of the Arabs.â
The meeting was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lebanon in Cuba, H.E. Mr. Namir Noureddine, as well as representatives of the Green Zone Foundation in Havana. Photo: GZF.
The event was also attended by Yackeline DÃaz Fuentes, director of the House Museum of the Arabs; Yaime Proveyer, president of the Arab Union of Cuba (UAC); representatives of the Green Zone Foundation in Havana; and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lebanon to Cuba, H.E. Mr. Namir Noureddine.
The morning was enlivened by dancers Ayleen RodrÃguez FernÃĄndez, first dancer of the Flamenca Ecos company, and Amanda RodrÃguez GonzÃĄlez, from Cuban SoHo. They harmonized their movements to the rhythm of tapping their feet, tapping their heels, snapping their fingers and clapping their hands in perfect synchrony with the musical influence of the Arab culture.
Thus began the celebration of the Arab Culture Week in Cuba with a touch of flamenco dance, an artistic expression that builds bridges between different cultural realities.
As the great Spanish flamenco dancer, actor and choreographer Antonio Gades once said: âFlamenco dance is an expression of the humble people, of the rich lands of Andalusia, of the incomparable Arabia, but with the flavor of Africa and Americaâ.
