Havana’s carnival in addition of being a celebration of great popular participation, is an outdoors show to be seen from prepared street boxes and stands along Malecón (Sea Front) Avenue where most of the celebrations are held. There thousands of Cubans and foreigners who attracted by a carnival that, without pretensions of being among the most expensive or sumptuous, is one of the merriest of the world.

Art and expansion desire jointed in the carnaval

Havana’s Carnival extends three kilometers along Malecón Avenue between the areas of Paseo del Prado—located in Old Havana—until the esplanade of La Piragua near the National Hotel. The whole avenue fills with Cubans from Havana and other regions of the island and visitors from all over the world who want to share the happiness of these celebrations. This year the event was named "Roots" and was aimed at allegorically symbolizing the diverse ethnically formed population of Cuba. Overwhelming joy and the artistic quality were the dominating notes in the inauguration parade in the evening. Fifteen parade assembles and 10 floats participated, thus representing each one of the different expressions of the Cuban culture.Celebrations began with the floats passing throughout Malecón Avenue which is beyond doubt the most attractive feature of this season. These were theme floats decorated with many lights and colors, garlands and paper streamers. They compete among themselves with grandeur. On every float, an orchestra was playing while the beautiful girls dance at the tune of the rhythm, known as "Morenas de Fuego" (Brown Girls of Fire), because of their outfits and decorations. Costumes have always been a fundamental feature at Carnival. Not only for their color and appeal, but also because it’s a way the person has to evade reality. Carnival 2000 will be registered in history as one of the longest one since the celebrations began on July 21st and extend to August 13th along Malecón Avenue. July 26 celebrations were also added, lasting three days and on this occasion were special, given the fact that Havana was the city of Cuba chosen for the commemoration of the 47th anniversary of the assault on Moncada Garrison in 1953 by Fidel Castro and his followers. Also the traditions of "Muñecones" (tall walking disguised figures) was retaken, they were freely hanging around alone and not in groups as it used to be some years ago. During the celebrations, attendants to the parties could enjoy dinner in the restaurants described as "ranchones," a typical traditional Cuban house, made of wood and thatch.

The First Carnival Carnivals have their origin in the Roman Festivals of Saturn, and reached the "New World" with the conquest. Its original religious character has been diluting and Carnival has become a more profane and earthly expression. Its celebration in Cuba dates back to the 16th century when Congos, Carabalíes, Yorubas and other descendants of African ethnical groups were granted a day to hold the expressions of their culture. These events were known as “carnestolendas”. From the Cuban capital, these celebrations— which have already turned into traditions—evolved and extended all over the island and were held with the modifications made, according to the traditions of every region. The oldest reference regarding a carnival being held in Havana, showing similar characteristics to the present celebrations, was held in 1833. Tacón Theater of Havana, since its inauguration in 1838 was the headquarters of the four costume balls during the Carnival month. The first carnival held in Havana, recognized as such, coincided with the raising of insurgents against the Spanish government in 1895. With the euphoria of the recently gained independence in 1902, major carnival celebrations took place in Havana, recalled for being the first ones where vehicles participated for the first time. The first Queen of Carnival was elected in 1908. She was a humble cigarette seller by the name of Ramona García. That same year, the first parades were seen, a sort of collective dancing processions, similar to the old parties of Epiphany where African-Cuban cabildos, gathered in "nations" and danced along the streets. "El Alacrán," "Los Monos Rosados" and "Las Rosas Encantadas," were the most celebrated floats of that first epoch. Since then, musical parades make dance hundreds of people at conga rhythm, a dancing music that can be sung and collectively danced. At the beginning of the 90’s, Carnival disappeared due to the difficult economic situation endured by the Caribbean country. The main commercial partners from socialist Europe could not continue keeping their relation with the island. Later thanks to the boom of tourism industry in Cuba, Carnival was rescued as a way of raising the cultural traditions of the country. THE FLOATS Each year, a jury made up by specialists grants prizes to the more original and colorful floats and dancing parades and this year once more the famous parade of "Los Guaracheros de Regla," was awarded. This parade has been active for 40 years and is made up by dancers of the municipality that bears its name, Regla. Among its member, just one, the choreographer is full time dedicated to this endeavor. The other awarded parades were that of the university students, Federation of University Students (FEU), that of "Los Jóvenes del Este" and "La Giraldilla". The choreography used by "Los jóvenes del Este" called everyone’s attention for it was based on rap in their movements and, by the way, was also awarded. In the last Havana’s Carnival 2000, other parades of well-enrooted popular elements also participated as El Alacrán," "Los Marqueses de Atarés," formed since the beginning of the century and "La Jardinera," set up in the thirties and that continues attracting the people dancing with its chorus: ¡Flores, flores, que viene La Jardinera regando flores!; ¡Adiós mamá, adiós papá, que me voy con Las Bolleras!... With these and other sticky chorus the parades perform, inviting people to join the conga. The official celebrations conclude with this, but another type of carnivals is about to begin. The audience leaves the stands and gets ready to dance until dawn.

CARNIVAL MUSIC

Popular rhythms are an indispensable part of each carnival. In Havana’s Carnival, the bodies do not stop dancing at the tune of rumbas, guarachas, guaguancós, mozambiques, sambas, joropos, congas, calypsos, charangas, timbas, boleros... CONGA This is the rhythm that best represents the Carnival spirit. The best expression of the essence of this collective and transcultural party. It can be sung, danced and used in carnival parades, it is difficult to keep oneself from dancing and just indulging in listening without participating, this is the euphoria caused by this event. The rhythmic instruments used are drums, cowbells, bass drums, ¡frying pans! and the melodic ones are usually metal and wind instruments, especially the acute Chinese trumpet. Its origin is found in the slaves’ celebrations, but also Spanish influence is notable (wind instruments). CHARANGA Emerged during the 1912 parties. Popularized by the celebrated Antonio María Romeu, known as the "magician of the keys," who during the carnival celebrations of that year, successfully presented the famous "Tres lindas cubanas" (Three Beautiful Cubans).