The people of Santiago once again “overwhelmed” this Wednesday in the center of the city with their traditional conga after two years of the pandemic. The popular gatherings, very typical in this area of the country, were suspended due to covid-19, and this time, as has happened years ago, the militarization of the street parade could not be absent to repress in case of arguments between the participants or choirs. “out of place” against the Government.
The conga that sounded this Wednesday was Paso Franco, one of the oldest in Santiago de Cuba and its tour included San Pedro, Princesa and San Fernando streets in the heart of the city.
The carnivals are approaching, which take place at the end of July in Santiago, and as usual the different folkloric groups go out to tour the neighborhoods as a prelude to the celebration that includes a dance, costume and sound design contest.
Similarly, around these dates it is common to hear the sound of the Chinese cornet, -the most characteristic instrument of the Santiago conga-, because between July 3 and 9 the Caribbean Festival or Fire Festival also takes place. , an event that brings together the country’s leading Afro-descendant artists and celebrates the influence of African culture in the region.
Although the carnivals in Santiago de Cuba are considered by many Cubans to be the best in the country, they have been losing quality since before the pandemic. The scarce sale of bulk beer, which is the most consumed by those attending the celebration due to its low price, the lack of variety in the gastronomic offers and the high prices of many foods, contributed to the fact that fewer and fewer people attended, and even, some areas that enabled for the celebration were disappearing.
On the other hand, the areas of the city where the carnival spaces are maintained become a torment for the residents, who complain to the local authorities about the smell of urine, the dirt on the streets, the loud music and the constant discussions between the occasional drunk assistant or fights between couples.
With the inflation that the country is experiencing and the high prices of services and food, some people from Santiago venture to say that “they will not show up for anything at the carnivals” because, they even point out, that “state transportation is lousy” to get to the place the private very expensive.
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