The cultural traditions of Holguín, one of Cuba’s most historically rich provinces, are deeply rooted in the transculturation of aboriginal, Hispanic, and African influences. This fusion has shaped a vibrant legacy of festivals, music, and rituals that continue to define the region’s identity. Among Holguín’s oldest celebrations, dating back to the 18th century, are the […]

As Mexico continues to celebrate its rich tapestry of traditional music, the huapango stands out as a vibrant emblem of cultural fusion and artistic expression. Born from the mestizaje of Indigenous, European, and African influences, huapango is more than a genre—it’s a living tradition that pulses through the heart of the country’s musical identity. Originating […]

Just over 50 kilometers from Buenos Aires lies La Plata, the capital of the province of the same name and one of Argentina’s most unique cities. Founded on November 19, 1882, by then-governor Dardo Rocha, La Plata was designed from the ground up as a planned city, with a geometric layout that still stands out […]

Long before it became a creamy street favorite served with cinnamon and condensed milk, chicha venezolana was already a cultural cornerstone—its earliest mention dating back to Christopher Columbus’s third voyage, when he arrived at the coast of Paria and was offered “wines of different colors” by the Indigenous peoples. Those “wines,” as later clarified by […]

More than just festive music, calipso remains a living testimony of Afro-descendant creativity, resistance, and memory. With roots in the Caribbean’s colonial past, this genre—shaped by African rhythms and layered with political expression—has evolved into a voice for communities long silenced. Originating in Trinidad and Tobago, calipso became a tool of communication among enslaved African […]

The historic fortifications of La Habana, Cuba’s capital, continue to captivate visitors and scholars alike, standing as enduring symbols of the city’s strategic importance during the colonial era. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, Havana’s military architecture forms one of the most extensive and best-preserved defensive systems in the Americas. Constructed between the […]

For generations, the cueca has been more than just a dance for Chile—it is a cultural symbol that embodies history, identity, and emotion. Officially declared the national dance on September 18, 1979, the cueca takes center stage during Chile’s Independence celebrations, yet its roots go far deeper than festivity. RELATED: The History of Cuban Drums: […]

The City of Rio de Janeiro has officially declared Bossa Nova as cultural heritage, recognizing its profound impact on Brazilian identity and global music. Emerging in the late 1950s, Bossa Nova blended samba rhythms with jazz harmonies, creating a sophisticated yet intimate sound. The genre was pioneered by João Gilberto, Tom Jobim, and Vinicius de […]

In Baracoa, Cuba’s chocolate capital, the legacy of cacao cultivation and chocolate production remains deeply woven into the town’s identity. For José Alexander Eugellés, who has worked in Baracoa’s chocolate factory for 28 years, crafting chocolate is more than a profession—it’s a way of life, inherited from his father and shared with his sister. The […]

The Moai statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile, have captivated the world since Dutch explorers first arrived on Easter Sunday in 1722. Even by the late 19th century, French traveler Pierre Loti described them as “colossal heads emerging from the earth,” remnants of a lost civilization watching over visitors from the past. Despite centuries […]