Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2018 | Page 226

Events CUBA POPULATION JULY Festival del Caribe SIZE 11.27 million (2013) 109,884 sq. kilometers OFFICIAL LANGUAGE CAPITAL CITY Spanish CURRENCY Cuban Peso (1 US dollar equals 26.5 Cuban Pesos ) Throughout Santiago de Cuba, an exciting festival involving participants from around the world takes place annually. See beautiful costumes, peformances, exhibitions and participate in workshops and street activities. JULY Havana Carnival - Santiago de Cuba During the second half of July, Santiago de Cuba comes alive with Carnival. Street parties, parades, concerts and a general festive spirit pervades throughout the city at this time of year. AVERAGE TEMPERATURE 270 C / 810 F AUGUST Carnival - Havana A smaller-scaled version of Santiago de Cuba’s carnival but one not to be missed. Carnival - Mantanzas During the third week of August, a smaller- scaled version of Santiago de Cuba’s carnival and Havana’s is held in Mantanzas. This carnival is tinged with an Afro-Cuban flavour. Symposia de Hip Hop Cubano Cuban hip-hop is celebrated at various venues throughout Havana during the third week of August. SEPTEMBER . Fiesta de la Virgen del Cobre In the small town of El Cobre, Cubans hold pilgrimages to the altar of Cuba’s national saint every year. There is also nation-wide celebrations in her honour. Photo Credit: Yvrsigmatech