The Caribbean Festival, this blend of fire, dance and magic, which has become a traditional festivity in Santiago de Cuba, after two decades of annual celebration, ratified in 1998, the presence of a regional identity.

Dedicated this year to the Spanish mark in the region, the 18th edition of the Festival of the Caribbean culture, had an attendance of near 800 delegates from 26 countries. The burn of a large puppet which represents the devil, was the closing session of the seven days devoted to the Fire Fiesta. The attractive and enigmatic performance, a symbol of the eradication of evils which endangers the artistic expressions of the people of this era, offers a ceremony where light and shadows creates an atmosphere of exorcism. The blend of elements as the intense color, drums' rhythm and traditional dances, combined with a context of euphoric devotion for culture and its mysteries to create a feeling of belonging in other nations' attendants, forcing them either to extend their stay in Cuba or return. This rite has been inherited from a medieval costume which consists of the burn of a straw-made puppet which in this case has the characteristics of the Haitian folklore, identified by the devil that dies and regenerates in that eternal struggle waged by man between good and bad. "The Caribbean which joins us," on its turn, also achieved to gather researchers devoted to the art and culture of the region with topics dealing with identity, reencounters and the defense of common conquests achieved by the peoples of the region who share the sea as friends. Another singular phenomenon which takes place during this Festival is the assault that takes place along the streets by Cuban artistic groups that still preserve the Haitian tradition with their performances. When the curtains are dropped on the Cari-bbean scenario, the Cuba percussion-characterized by drums, impossible to stop, waiting for next editions-will devote this Fire Fiesta to the Caribbean diaspora in 1999 and to Africa in the year 2000.