Conducta, Cuban film by Ernesto Daranas, won the 2014 Coral Prize for Best Fiction Feature this year at the 36th International Festival of New Latin American Film in Havana in December 2014. Conducta was one of the highly awarded films, receiving the Coral for Best Fiction Feature and Best Male Lead Actor for young Armando Valdez's character Chala, as well as the SIGNIS award, granted by a world Catholic association for communication. The festival recently ended in Havana's Charles Chaplin movie theater.

Cuban artists and writers hope that the restoration of diplomatic relations with the United States will open new opportunities to expand the Island's cultural production without the restrictions derived from Washington's 52-year-old economic embargo.

Cuban writer, Eduardo Heras León, has been granted the 2015 National Literature Award by the Cuban Book Institute for his life's work.

We have 6 copies of the fantastic new CD: ‘Cha Cha Cha with Abelardo Barroso and his Orquesta Sensacion', courtesy of our friends at World Circuit.

This wonderful CD celebrates the talent of one of Cuba's greatest popular artists, the singer Abelardo Barroso. Brilliantly compiled and produced by Nick Gold and World Circuit, every aspect of this record is a model in how to bring the best of Cuba to a grateful audience. From its sumptuous packaging which consists of original 1950's artwork and fascinating and detailed sleeve notes as well as full song lyrics, from a rich and powerful re-mastered sound to the unstinting quality of the songs, every one of which packs the same punch as the super -talented Abelardo gave when he was a young prize fighter, ‘Cha Cha Cha' is a joy on every level.

The travelling exhibition 'United Buddy Bears' opened 17 January in Havana for Cubans and tourists, with life size bears in one of the oldest public spaces in the capital, the San Francisco de Asis Plaza, a place full of memories of cultural and historical events.

"My name is Lázaro Armando Saavedra González, but I could have been named any other way when I was born. My real name is Man, and I have become this man thanks to what other men have left behind. I learned this since I was a child from someone who introduced me to this difficult way of burning and enlightening my own way or other people´s way too. Through darkness and during several stages of my life, art was the luminous flame of a burning candle, a tool of thinking and for thinking, because when we enlighten our own way there is a chance to help enlighten other people´s ways too."

When President Obama announced plans recently to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba, a bevy of U.S. industries – from automotive to tourism – seemed elated by the possibility of being able to operate in Cuba. The news was greeted with just as much enthusiasm from the culture industry: "Art Collectors Predict ‘Stampede' to Cuba," read one newspaper headline. Another trumpeted: "Renewed ties hit a high note for Cuban music lovers."

THE Cuban dance track of 2014 to get in the mood for celebrating…Cubanos siguen pa'lante!

A big loss to Cuban culture in 2014 was the death of Juan Formell, founder of supergroup Los Van Van, in May. Watch this lovely video for a taste of his magic "I'm not afraid of life"…

A very emotional rendition by the Cuban Five now all finally together back in Havana after the historic US-Cuba deal last week, of Silvio Rodriguez's anthem 'El Necio' ('the fool') together with Silvio himself.

On 17 December 2014 US President Barack Obama hailed a "new chapter" in US relations with Cuba, announcing moves to normalise diplomatic and economic ties.

reported 11 December 2014

In December, Havana was selected in Dubai as one of the seven wonder cities of the world because it represents global diversity of urban society, according to the president of the New7Wonders initiative, Bernard Weber.
The other six cities elected were La Paz, Beirut, Doha, Durban, Kuala Lumpur and The Philippines´ Vigan.

Don't miss this chance to see some original artwork by some distinguished contemporary Cuban artists including Nelson Dominguez, Kcho and Choco on show in London's Bolivar Hall alongside prints by Antonio Guerrero, who is known as one of the Miami 5 Cubans who have been imprisoned in the US for 16 years.