The Korea Herald

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Sights and sounds of Cuba

By Korea Herald

Published : Aug. 1, 2013 - 20:08

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Dancers participating in the “2013 Cuban Culture Art Festival” present traditional Cuban dance performance “Habana Compas Dance” at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square on Thursday to promote the festival, which kicks off Friday. (Yonhap News) Dancers participating in the “2013 Cuban Culture Art Festival” present traditional Cuban dance performance “Habana Compas Dance” at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square on Thursday to promote the festival, which kicks off Friday. (Yonhap News)
Music and art from Cuba are the highlight of “2013 Cuban Culture Art Festival,” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Korea Foundation.

The event, aimed at promoting cultural exchange between Korea and Cuba, runs in Seoul from Aug. 2 to 4 at Yongsan Art Center; Pyeongchang and Daegu on Aug. 7; Andong on Aug. 8; and in Suncheon on Aug. 9.

As the event’s main program, “Cuba Concert” will feature well-known Cuban band Buena Fe performing Cuban popular music, the traditional dance performance “Habana Compas Dance,” and a jazz performance by Latin jazz saxophone player Cesar Lopez and his band Habana Ensemble.

In addition to the performances, there is also a photo exhibition, “Cuba: LIFE or LIVE,” by Cuban photographer Roberto Chile vividly showing life in Cuba and a briefing session about Cuban culture hosted by the Korea-Cuba Exchange Council titled, “Question About CUBA.” A Cuban cocktail tasting event and academic lectures “Talk about Caribbean Passion” and “Jose Marti and Cuban Culture” are also in store.

Anyone over age 10 is welcome and admission to all events are free. For more information about the festival, visit www.cubafestival.kr or call (070) 8230-8917.

By Suh Hye-rim (sheren6735@heraldcorp.com)