Holguin Tourism Like Phoenix, after Sandy

 By Celia Arevalo de la Peña.
Translated by Juan Carlos Dominguez.

I am just quoting Christopher Columbus who said that Cuba is “the most beautiful land human eyes have ever seen,” what I coul see myself watching the recovery work done in Guardalavaca, a beach resort in the province of Holguin, wildly hit barely two weeks agoby by the devastating hurricane Sandy.

Swimming pool area form Brisas Guardalavaca hotel. Foto: Amauris Betancourt.

Raciel Rivero Rey, a specialist from the commercial dept. of the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) in the Cuban province of Holguin, praised the ongoing recovery works:

“Holguin destination and Guardalavaca beach resort will be ready for the start of the upcoming tourism high season on November 15, and that is possible thanks to the recovery work taken on by the hotel staffs, who right after the hurricane hit us, threw themselves wholeheartedly into recovery work.”

Brisas Guardalavaca hotel. Foto: Amauris Betancourt.

Rivero Rey said that hurricane Sandy brought much damage to 16 out of the 25 facilities in Guardalavaca, and 500 rooms, including Villa Don Lino resort.

Beach area.

Chaos reined in Guardalavaca after the path of devastating hurricane Sandy, but the glamour of one of the most celebrated beach resorts in the Cuban province of Holguin keeps returning to normalcy. No doubt it will continue to bewitch visitors from across the world that seek for top service, comfortable facilities, the smile of staffers and the natural beauties of its beaches.

More pictures at: http://mauroflash.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-pesar-de-sandy-holguin-es-la-tierra.html
More info at: http://www.radioangulo.cu/en/news/holguin/17445-holguin-tourism-like-phoenix-after-sandy.html

Cultural Gala Pays Homage to Iberoamerican House in Holguín

By Amauris Betancourt.

Colombian Folk Group Tequendama.

A cultural gala held last night in the Eddy Suñol Theater payed homage to the Iberoamerican House founded 19 years ago.

The internacional spectacle included Colombian Folk Group Tequendma, the Barbadian-British reggae singer Magnet Man and the local tradicional music group Los Guayaberos as well as the Spanish Ballet from Holguín.

For more pictures view: http://mauroflash.blogspot.com/2012/10/gala-homenaje-la-casa-de-iberoamerica.html


Tropicla Storm Isaac Leaves Cuba Behind

Text and pictures: Amauris Betancourt.

The tropical storm Isaac have already left Cuba behind through Guardalavaca beach resorts but I would like to share some images before and after its going through in Holguín and in Gibara.

In Holguín:

 In Gibara:

FOR MORE PICTURES WITH ENGLISH FOOTAGE GO TO: http://mauroflash.blogspot.com/2012/08/isaac-efectos-en-holguin-y-gibara.html

Salsa Singer Candido Fabré Gave a Free Concert in Holguín

Cuban popular salsa singer Candido Fabré gave a free concert last night at the Pedro Diaz Coello neighborhood in the city of Holguín and said he will always offer a concert every Monday after the yearly Holguín carnivals.

Circa 70 thousand people attended the concert that lasted till 2: 20 a.m. and was broadcasted through the provincial Radio Angulo radio station.



Public of all ages in a concert devouted to women.

Fabré showed his skills to improvise and interpreted known songs such as Fabré llegó; María, la del barrio y A la hora que me llamen voy.



Vilaliano Gonzalez, city mayor, made him Ilustrious Son of the City.



Leury Pupo, lndon 2012 Olympic Champion gifted him with a baseball and a bat.



 

Oliberto Pupo, an outstanding sanitation worker gave Fabré a flower bouquet.



Saturnino Lahera gifted him with a strw hat and a guayabera.

 

Gala Del Caribe, mi Danzón in People's Theater

The gala From the Carribbean, my Danzón was staged on August 15, previous to the official inauguration of Holguín 2012 Carnivals at the Camilo Cienfuegos square in the City of the Parks.

For pictures, please view: http://mauroflash.blogspot.com/2012/08/gala-del-caribe-mi-danzon-en-teatro-del.html

Infantile Carnivals in Holguín

By Amauris Betancourt.

The Libertadores avenue hosted thousand of children on Sonday August 12 to hold the Infantile Carnivals as a prelude to the Popular Parties yearly celebrated throughout Cuba. 

A parade was prepared to show children coreographies aboard decorated cars ging down this avenue from the City of the Parks.

More pictures at: http://mauroflash.blogspot.com/2012/08/carnaval-infantil-holguin-2012.html

Humor Duet Caricare Got a Soldout Theater

Text and photos: Amauris Betancourt.

Duet Caricare (Onelio Escalona y Mireya Abreu) in the Eddy Suñol theater during the performance on Sunday, August 5.

Holguín's humor Duet Caricare staged successfully the show that gave them prizes in the last Cuban Aquelarre Humor Festival. The Suñol theater was sold out in the six days the duet stayed in program shortly after they returned from Havanna`s Festival.

                                                               More pictures here.

Omara Portuondo Pleased the Holguin Audience

By Amauris Betancourt.


Omara Portuondo dancing.

Cuban Diva Omara Portuondo pleased the audience at the Eddy Suñol theater, sold out completely, in a concert dedicated to Cuayo, Oramas and Márqez families, very important for the cultural music panorama of this city.

Andres Cuayo e Irma Oramas.

Omara was granted the Holguín’ Ax distinction, highest province Award as well as a replica of the Periquera Door-knocker (Keys) and a painting by Victor Manuel.

Omara Portuondo also sang “Tal vez”, de Juan Formell; “La era está pariendo un corazón”, “Gracias”, latest CD’s tittle; “Drume negrita”, “Dos gardenias”, “Adiós felicidad”, “Lo que me queda por vivir”, “Tres palabras” y “La sitiera.”

El ssshhh de Drume negrita.



Holguín singer Lucrecia Marín kept her company in “Veinte años”, from María teresa Veras.

More info

Omara Portuondo Gives a Concert Tonight

By Amauris Betancourt.

Omara Portuondo, la Novia del Feeling.

Cuban famous singer Omara Portuondo, member of the Buena Vista Social Club, gives a concert tonight in the Eddy Suñol theater, one of the sceneries of her  national tour that have already included Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba and Granma.

Local singer Lucrecia Marín (Luma) will keep her company in some numbers. Portuondo remembers the Holguín composer Juanito Márquez from whom she will interpret a song.

Holguin journalist.

O