There have been a number of AIDS-themed films over the years, but you'll hardly find one quite like "The Companion." This story of an unlikely friendship in a uniquely Cuban setting provides a fascinating window to the past. And with the film's selection as the official Cuban entry for the Oscars, director Pavel Giroud hopes to share its empathetic message to the world.

The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee, met in Ethiopia, has today decided to include ˜Cuban rumba'' in the list -Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity-, recognized as a ''festive mixture of music and dance''.

Cuban intellectuals and artists expressed total identification with the ideas of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, when they rendered posthumous tribute in this city east of the island.

A chilly late autumn night in Sussex was set on fire last month when violin virtuoso Omar Puente and his Afro-Cuban combo performed at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham-by-Sea (October 14). Omar has been a fixture on the UK jazz scene for 20 years but the new album he is currently promoting on tour, "Best Foot Forward", takes his work to another level. His fans are in for a real treat if they can make it to any of his upcoming gigs.

Today Cuba is in the midst of an artistic boom. Some have even suggested that the island is in a state of ‘artistic overproduction'. At the Havana Art Biennial in May 2015, visitors were overwhelmed by the incredibly diverse, complex, sometimes provocative, and often humorous art work. For a month Havana was awash with art – inside galleries, and in every imaginable space outside.

The US blockade continues to set up obstacles for the Culture Sector's scope and for the development of the country's cultural heritage. In the 12 months to June 2016, this policy has cost Cuba $29,483,800 dollars. The U.S. market could be the principal source of supplies for a significant group of raw materials, materials, tools and equipment with which the country's artists, artisans and designers work if the blockade did not exist. But these products have to be imported by Cuban institutions from third countries, thereby involving prices that are up to 40 percent higher.

Read up on important books on Cuba for Black History Month – history, politics, poetry, fiction, testimonial

During Cuban Culture week, art companies and organizations including the experienced and award winning Guantanamo Guiñol and members of the Hermano Saiz Association will take their talents to the areas affected by Hurricane Matthew aimed at offering hope and support to the people.
The Provincial Culture Office promotes this solidarity art brigade called Juan Marinello appreciated by the people of Baracoa, Maisi, San Antonio del Sur and Imias and which will also include the traditional musical groups Celso and its Changui.

On arriving in the UK in 1997, the virtuoso violinist Omar Puente had already been leader of the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra as well as touring with artists from the Buena Vista stable. This typically Cuban approach of exploring all musical avenues, coupled with a phenomenal technique, resulted in Omar establishing himself as one of Cuba's most distinguished artists.

The ballet star Carlos Acosta has said British companies must do more to extend opportunities to dancers from ethnic minority backgrounds. The acclaimed performer is bringing his new Cuban dance company to Sadler's Wells for its first UK show. The former principal guest artist with the Royal Ballet said he wanted talented British hopefuls to train at his Acosta Danza Academy in Cuba, which will help young dancers from deprived backgrounds prepare for the international stage.

Join the Cuban Salsa Flashmob at Grand Central station, Birmingham (the new New Street station) main concourse at 3pm – with members of the VAMOS Cuba cast from Havana and local salsa dancers this Saturday 29 October.

Cuban actor Jorge Perugorria, star of 'strawberry and chocolate' and many other great Cuban films, has been invited to become a member of the Film Academy in the US as part of Hollywood's attempt to have a more diverse membership judging the Oscars.

The animation studios of the ICAIC will present a video game inspired by the popular Cuban TV knowledge quiz programme ‘El Selecto Club de La Neurona Intranquila' in August, in the context of the Art Fair in the Rampa, Havana.

A 24-hour TV Satellite broadcast of Cuban audiovisuals will reach US audiences on the CubaMax TV channel following a joint accord reached between the Cuban Radio and Television Institute and Dish Network TV.