TravelGuide-Alamar-2016-web

73 | the Alamar travel guide
History and Organization of Culture in Cuba
The organization of the cultural program and institutions in Cuba has been ruled by
the government since 1959, the year of the Cuban Revolution and the settlement of
Fidel Castro as the head of the government. The term “Cuban Revolution” not only
points to this moment in the fifties, but is also meant to define an ongoing process
of building and shaping society. Society and culture have been deeply influenced by
the continuous attempt of building an egalitarian society based on socialist principles.
Culture has had a central position in this process both for the reorganization of the
educational system and for the more general cultural training of the country.
7.1 A group of school kids hanging around in the streets of Alamar. The typical
uniform is mandatory in the whole island and provided by the Government. (Photo
Credits: G. Spagnolo)
“The worst sacrilege is the
stagnation of thought.”
- Fidel Castro
Culture in Cuba is still one of the biggest investments of its political organization. In the
sixties the country has gone through a spectacular process of alphabetization of the
population that saw the openings of hundreds of schools and cultural institutions. This
organization, extended to the whole country has made possible the development of a
strong network among cities and institutions. This network includes schools, cultural
centers, cinema’s, and theatres.
The educational system in Cuba is a strong part of the socialist political program. The
actual percentage of alphabetization is 98.8%. School in Cuba is free at any level and
mandatory from 8 to 16 years old.
Besides the official cultural organization, Cuba has developed a network of informal
culture, expressed in underground culture, street musicians, music, small artisans
and artists.