Havana, also known as La Ciudad de las Columnas, pulsates with history, culture, and art. From the eclectic mixture of colonial and art deco architecture to the rich rhythmic sounds that echo along cobblestone streets, Havana is a mecca of ingenuity.
This spring, this incredible city is set to host the thirteenth edition of the Havana Biennial, conceived in 1984 by the Wilfredo Lam Contemporary Art Center as an event for artists instead of collectors. Since then, it has gained importance as a meeting place and platform for artists from Latin America and other developing countries. This year’s Biennial will focus on the theme of “La Construcción de lo Posible”. Along with responding to the present, artists and works will present notions of the future that respond to society’s need for social transformation.
Together with Project Por Amor, International Arts & Artists is arranging a cultural exchange trip to Cuba to attend the Biennial. From exhibition openings to artist studio visits, participants will explore the incredible city of Havana at its best. Learn more and sign up for the trip here!
Looking for more art and culture to see in Havana? Don’t don’t miss these essential excursions in and around La Ciudad de las Columnas!
Habana Vieja
Meander down the cobbled streets of the original five plaza layout in Old Havana built in 1519. Explore Baroque to neoclassical architecture, view some of the oldest and largest stone fortifications in the Americas, and see why Habana Vieja has garnered UNESCO World Heritage status. Make sure you take time to explore the Catedral de San Cristobal, the famous restaurant La Bodeguita del Medio, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, and Plaza Vieja.
Fusterlandia
Step into the magical kingdom of Fusterlandia, where artist José Fuster has reclaimed and transformed the neighborhood of Jamanitas. Inspired by work done in Europe by artists such as Gaudi and Brâncuși, Fuster began incorporating his artistic practice into his surroundings. Visit Fusterlandia and experience the wonder of his whimsical ceramic, mosaic tile, and recycled art creations.
Fabrica de Arte Cubano
Immerse yourself in the cultured nightlife of Havana! Listen to live music, dance, see a play, movie, or other art installation at this cultural powerhouse. Once an old peanut oil factory, Fabrica holds a multitude of events and workshops in celebration of all branches of art, including theater, dance, visual art, photography, fashion, graphic art, architecture, and more! Learn and let loose at this hip new venue.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Cuba
Attending the Havana Biennial and still find yourself craving more art? The National Museum of Fine Arts holds the largest collection of art in the country, with a section solely exhibiting Cuban artists and the rest of the museum displaying a multitude of international artists. Located in two buildings next to the famous Martí Promenade, the museum also boasts one of the largest collections of paintings and sculptures in all Latin America.
Finca Vigía
Love Ernest Hemingway? Finca Vigía was where this prolific author lived and wrote some of his most impressive works, including For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. The estate is now a museum where visitors can walk around the gardens, peer into the interior of the home, and imagine his genius at work.
El Malecón
Stroll down this broad five mile esplanade for spectacular views of Havana. Stretching from Old Havana to El Vedado, this place is the ultimate melting pot where people from all over the city gather. Take pictures, relax, and enjoy the warm sea breeze! Plus, see if you can spot the lighthouse at El Morro Castle, which guards the entrance to the Havana bay.
El Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón
In the mood for something ominous? Venture to Colón, considered one of the most remarkable cemeteries in the world. Created in 1876, it contains elaborately sculpted memorials in architectural styles ranging from art deco to neoclassical to renaissance.