|
By some estimates there are over 100 movie
theaters in Havana. Don't expect to find
movie theaters with multiple screens under
one roof as in the U.S., Mexico or Costa
Rica. However, it is only a matter of time
before these mammoth theaters will be built,
enabling you to see first run movies. Nevertheless,
many English movies are now shown at tourist
resorts and hotels on special cable channels.
There are a couple of good movie theatres
in Havana. Admission is cheap, but the selection
is limited. Currently most movies shown
are from Argentina, Russia, Europe, Mexico
and the U.S. Most Hollywood movies are shown
an about a year after they have been released
abroad. A lot of American films are pirated
off satellites.
The best movie theaters are the Cine
Yara Tel: 32-9430 in Vedado Tel: 32-9430,
opposite the Havana Libre Hotel, Charles
Chaplin in Vedado Tel: 31-1101, Cine
Payret Tel: 63-3163 opposite the Capitolio,
Cine La Rampa in Vedado Tel: 78-6146
and Cine Acapulco in Vedado tel:
3-9573. Listings of movies can usually be
found in newspapers and on posters.
Every year Havana is the site of the New
Latin American Film Festival. It is
the most important film festival in the
Spanish-speaking world. Celebrities, big
shot motion picture executives and movie
lovers from all over the world attend.
Since early times, live theater has always
played a role in Cuban life. There are over
fifty theaters in the country and several
theater companies. Some of these companies
perform outdoors. Havana's Teatro Mella
(Tel: 38-6961) and Gran Teatro de la
Habana in Central Havana (Tel: 61-3078)
are two of the best. There are also Sala
del Conjunto Folclórico Nacional (Tel:
31-3467), Teatro Bertold Brecht (Tel:
32-9359), Teatro Hubert de Blank
(Tel: 30-1011) and Teatro Nacional
de Cuba (Tel: 79-6011) all found in the
Vedado district of Havana.
Dancing is an integral part of Cuban culture
as was discussed in the section on Cuba's
people. Many dance forms have originated
in Cuba and every celebration includes some
form of dance. The National Ballet of
Cuba is considered one of the finest
in the world. They perform occasionally
at Havana's Gran Teatro. Each November there
is an international ballet festival held
in Havana. Modern dance companies and the
National Folklore Group also perform.
Cuba has many excellent artists. There
is an abundance of art galleries found in
Havana. There are usually more than 20 exhibits
at any one time around the city. To find
listings you should look in the newspapers.
|
