Santiago de Cuba Celebrates 500th Anniversary

HAVANA, Cuba, Jul 25 (acn) With a solemn session of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power and the inauguration of works that will benefit the population, Santiago de Cuba celebrates on Saturday five centuries of existence as a town founded by Governor Diego Velazquez in 1515.

At the Heredia Convention Center, personalities who have contributed to the economic, social and cultural development of the territory with their work and example will be honored.
Later, new homes for victims of Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, built at the Abel Santamaria Urban Center in cooperation with Ecuadorian friends will be given.
Also inaugurated will be the Patria Avenue, which links the Antonio Maceo Revolution Square with the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, the Leisure Center and other works of social importance.
Likewise, about 200 facilities in the sectors of culture, trade and food, tourism, roads and the first stretch of Las Enramadas heritage walk will be reopened and will also offer their services.
In the evening, carnivals will be declared Cultural Heritage of the nation, amid festivities in La Alameda Avenue, with promenades, floats, and conga dances.
Festivities will involve the people of Santiago de Cuba starting from 12:00 midnight (July 25), when fireworks will illuminate the enormous bay, around which the villa's first inhabitants settled.
Parallel to this activity and along the new promenade a massive toast with 500th Anniversary Rum for the health and prosperity of this land will be drunk.