45th Caribbean Festival Concludes in Santiago de Cuba

The 45th edition of the Caribbean Festival concluded in Santiago de Cuba, reaffirming its status as the main meeting point for regional integration, identity and cultural despite the country’s economic limitations.

Various musical and theatrical performances at the 45th Caribbean Festival in Santiago de Cuba. Photo: tvsantiago.icrt.cu

July 6, 2026 Hour: 12:19 pm

The Caribbean Festival 45th edition, known as the Festival of Fire, culminated on Sunday in Santiago de Cuba with the traditional Devil Burning, held exceptionally in the Portuondo community. This ritual symbolizes collective purification and the farewell to negative energies, marking the close of an event that reaffirmed its relevance as the nation’s main gathering of popular cultures.

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Artists from the Santiago de Cuba Performing Arts Council. Photo @trabajadores

Orlando Vergés, Organizing Committee president and House of the Caribbean director, stated that this edition confirmed its nature as a cultural project of regional integration.

“The Caribbean Festival is not only an artistic event; it is a way to defend our identity, to strengthen the bonds between peoples, and to demonstrate that culture always finds ways to overcome difficulties,” Vergés expressed.

Sudden Theatre Company. Photo @5de septiembre

For three days, the agenda was adapted to the national circumstances to preserve the fraternal dialogue among the Caribbean peoples. The program included workshops in theater, dance, popular religiosity, visual arts, and poetry.

New this year was a space dedicated to food culture and the colloquium “The Caribbean That Unites Us.” Additionally, outreach activities reached the Abel Santamaría and Nuevo Vista Alegre neighborhoods, bringing art closer to the community.

Sudden Theatre Company. Photo @5de septiembre

Colombia participated as the guest of honor, strengthening ties with delegations from Latin America and the Caribbean. Colombian actress Juana Rojas highlighted the human dimension of the event, stating, “Here, one understands that the Caribbean is a diverse family. We leave with the warmth of Santiago de Cuba and the certainty that culture continues to be a bridge to unite our peoples, even in the most challenging times.”

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