{"id":9694,"date":"2020-10-08T01:53:02","date_gmt":"2020-10-08T01:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/?p=9694"},"modified":"2022-11-18T08:54:14","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T08:54:14","slug":"min-on-music-journey-no-08-republic-of-cuba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/9694\/min-on-music-journey-no-08-republic-of-cuba\/","title":{"rendered":"Min-On Music Journey No. 08: The Republic of Cuba"},"content":{"rendered":"

Min-On and the Embassy of Cuba in Japan welcome you to the Republic of Cuba for the eighth stop on Min-On’s Music Journey. Cuba is the largest island nation in the Caribbean Sea, rich in natural beauty. Also called the Pearl of the Caribbean, Cuba has a subtropical climate, meaning it is warm and comfortable all year and filled with lush greenery and stunning seascapes. Cuba has long prospered as a center of trade between Europe and the Americas, and its historic streets offer a glimpse of that era.<\/p>\n

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\nThe colorful buildings of Cuba’s capital, Havana<\/em><\/p>\n

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\"\"The gorgeous beaches of Cayo Guillermo, an island in northern Cuba Vi\u00f1ales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/em><\/p>\n


\nHavana, the largest city in the Caribbean<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The capital of Havana is Cuba\u2019s center commerce and politics. The Old Havana district of the city, La Habana Vieja, contains many magnificent buildings built during Cuba\u2019s golden age that commenced in the 19th century. In 1982, this district was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A few popular tourist locations include the Havana Cathedral (a masterpiece of Cuban Baroque architecture) the El Capitolio (National Capitol Building) and Morro Castle, which guards Havana Bay. Cuba’s museums are also popular, including the Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ed Museum, which honors the titular Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ed, a figure extolled as a founding father and national hero of Cuba.<\/p>\n

The Malec\u00f3n roadway along the shore is popular for scenic drives and a great spot to catch many of the classic cars Cuba is famous for. Havana is also known for its connection to famous writer and poet Ernest Hemingway. He loved Cuba dearly, and the seas, people and drinks of Havana appear often in his novels. The small fishing village of Coj\u00edmar even serves as the setting for his Nobel Prize-winning novel, The Old Man and the Sea.<\/p>\n

\"\"Top left: Morro Castle<\/em>
\nLower left: One of Cuba’s famous classic cars<\/em>
\nRight: The Convent of San Francisco de Asis<\/em><\/p>\n


\nCuba as a sports powerhouse<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It is said that one in every 500 Cuban citizens has won a medal in the Olympics or other international sports competition. Baseball is the national sport of Cuba, and many Cuban baseball players compete on the global stage, including the American Major League and Japanese Professional Baseball leagues. These athletes also participate as members of the Cuban national team and have propelled their team to victory in the Olympics and other global competitions. The Cuban women’s national volleyball team also surprised the world by winning the gold medal three consecutive times at the Olympics in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney.<\/p>\n

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\nCuban cuisine and local specialties<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A popular traditional Cuban dish is congri, which contains rice, the staple food, cooked alongside red beans and pork. Another is ajiaco, a traditional meat and vegetable stew. Pork is particularly popular in Cuba. It is customary to eat pork, including whole roast suckling pigs, at celebrations including weddings and year-end festivals.
\nThe mojito, made with lime, mint and sugar added to rum, and the daiquiri are both cocktails that originated in Cuba, and they\u2019re very popular there and across the globe. Cuba is also the world’s largest manufacturer of cigars, and there are many cigar factories in the capital of Havana that export their fine products to Europe and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n

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\nRoast pork (left) and ajiaco, a traditional stew (right)<\/em><\/p>\n

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\nCuban cigars, Havana Club (a brand of rum) and a mojito cocktail<\/em><\/p>\n


\nThe rich musical tradition of Cuba<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Cuban musical tradition has always been closely connected to people\u2019s daily lives. The nostalgic city streets overflow with music of many different styles and origins, allowing visitors to feel the spirit of the Cuban people everywhere.<\/p>\n

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Son cubano, the core of the Cuban music scene, combines the drum rhythms of Africa with guitar and vocal tradition from Spain. It was born in the second half of the 19th century in the eastern part of the country. Once it arrived in Havana, it spread rapidly throughout the whole country, marking the beginning of a golden age in music. Son cubano performances use a guitar unique to Cuba called a tres, a three-course chordophone of Cuban origin. Its soulful sound enhances the charm of son cubano.<\/p>\n

In 2019, Min-On invited Cuban musicians, including Cuban music legend and world-class tres player, Pancho Amat, to tour in Japan.<\/p>\n

Please enjoy two songs from that concert: “Son Swing,” a song that evolves son cubano without sacrificing its traditional essence, and “El Cuarto de Tula,” one of Cuba’s most iconic songs.<\/p>\n

1. El Swing del Son (Son Swing)<\/strong>
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