Cuban culture is characterized by its rich literature, music, art, dance, film, architecture and theater traditions. Some key aspects include: 1) Literature includes letters from exiled Cuban writers responding to political issues as well as novels exploring themes of exile. 2) Music genres that originated in Cuba and remain popular include salsa, son, rumba, mambo and cha-cha-cha. Famous Cuban singers include Compay Segundo and Celia Cruz. 3) Art and architecture showcase Cuban, Spanish and African influences through styles like neo-baroque and neoclassical as well as in works by artists like Wifredo Lam and sculptures. Theater is centered in venues like the Grand Theater in

1. CUBAN CULTURELiterature ArchitectureMusic TheatreArt (Painting, DanceSculpture) Film

2. THEATHER LITERATURELetters from the Exiled. Fifty Cuban Writers Respond on. Armando Chávez Rivera.Neo-baroque Style It is adorned with stone and marbleThe main stage for the International Ballet Festival of La HavanaAntonio Conte “ Quicios del PasadoEmilio Bejel “Doble Exilio”Hilda Perera “Desde el Azul’Jose Triana “Territorio del Sueño”Eliana Guerrero “Cubana PlusPalacio del Centro GallegoThe Grand Theater in La Havana

3. Famous Cuban SingersMUSICCuban Salsa: smooth and joyful; combination of rhythms from Africa and Latin AmericaSon; begins in eastern rural areas of Cuba on 20’s centuryRumba; music and dance that style came also from African music is played on conga drums, claves and guiroMambo; appeared in the 1930 uses African rhythms Cha-cha-cha; appeared in the early 50’s easiest to dance and became quickly popularSons-called guajira-rural musicCompay SegundoCelia Cruz

4. ArtPAINTING and SCULPTUREBy Cubans: Guillemo CollazoVictor PatricioJose A Bencomo MenaAugusto Oliva BlayEduardo AbelaCarlos EnriquezWifredo LamJuan Francisco Elso

5. DANCE FILMFlamenco,MerengueSalsaTangoRumba (son, danzon, guagira, guaracha, naningo)MamboCha-cha-cha 30 Festival International del Nuevo Cine en CubaThe first film was 1937 called “La Serpiente Roja” “The Red Snake”On the 40’s and 50’s Cuba and Mexico made films together

6. ARCHITECTURELa Antigua CubaCuban Colonial Architecture from XVI until end XIX centuryNeoclassic Style, Neo-baroque Style, Old Neoclassical Structures, Catalan Architecture Art Nouvean /Art Deco entered in 1910-1920