Cuba convenes colloquium on popular cultures and the African diaspora

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba, Jul 8 (ACN) The Casa del Caribe and the Cuban Writers and Artists Association (UNEAC by its Spanish acronym) convened the International Colloquium "The Caribbean that Unites Us" and the Forum "The African Caribbean in the Diaspora World," events to be held in July 2026 as part of the traditional Fiesta del Fuego (Fire Festival).

The sessions will be dedicated to popular cultures and the African presence in the region and the world, and researchers, descendants, and those interested in the topic will address transculturation, popular religions, sites of memory, and participatory research.

This convening reaffirms Santiago de Cuba's commitment as the epicenter of thought in the region and seeks to foster dialogue on identity, resistance, and cultural diversity in the Greater Caribbean.

Marta Bonet, president of UNEAC, highlighted the need to strengthen the promotion of Cuban culture and identity as an essential part of the colloquium.

She emphasized that the organization must become more actively involved in cultural integration spaces, especially in view of next year, when the event will celebrate its 45th anniversary and UNEAC its 65th.

Bonet acknowledged that Santiago de Cuba has historically been a meeting point for Caribbean traditions, and that the festival represents a key platform for defending identity against processes of cultural colonization.

The colloquium and forum will take place from July 4 to 7, 2026, as part of the 45th Caribbean Festival program, which will take place in Santiago de Cuba from the 3rd to the 9th of that same month and is dedicated to the popular cultures and ethnic diversity of Colombia.