Natalia Prónina has lived in Cuba – exactly in Holguin – for more than forty years. However, she refuses to separate herself from her roots. She was born in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, now the territory of the Russian Federation.
Currently, Natalia leads the Russian-speaking community “Matrioshka” in the Cuban City of the Parks, together with her fellow countrymen, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Cubans who graduated from different specialties in the Soviet Union and some young people interested in learning the language and getting closer to the Russian culture.
Our main mission is to keep Russian traditions alive. Therefore, we try to diversify the activities, with exhibitions that represent our culture and nature, as well as relevant historical figures, artists, writers, who permanently motivate us to gatherings, conversations, round tables.
Russian-speaking community of Holguin, defender of traditions
Exhibition “Russia, natural diversity”, organized by the Russian-speaking Community of Holguin. Photo: La Luz Cultural Communication Center.
Undoubtedly, the Russian community based in the city of Holguin builds a bridge between that nation and the Caribbean island and enhances the cultural exchange between both countries.
The traditions we keep here are several. One of them is to wait for the Russian New Year, every December 31, at four o’clock in the afternoon, Cuban time. We get together to cook typical Russian dishes, including Blini (arepas), Pelmeni (ravioli), Borsch (vegetable soup or red soup) and a typical Russian salad, the Olivié Salad, similar to the cold salad prepared in Cuba, but with a potato base.
In Natalia’s home, where today three generations of Russians live together, it is a priority to instill in the youngest children an interest in the culture of that nation.
We have the good habit of celebrating and talking about important dates in our countries, such as Victory Day or Orthodox Easter. In my family, first with my children and now with the grandchildren, we usually paint the eggs that are representative of this holiday and give them to friends. We also make Russian sweets specific to Easter.
Whenever we get together we have tea, our favorite drink. We sit around the Russian samovar, a very unique kettle. As much as possible, we try to let the Cubans, especially the neighbors, get a taste of these traditions, which they enjoy as much as we do.
Russian-speaking community of Holguín, defender of traditions
For an optimal performance of the Russian-speaking community, the attention permanently offered to its members by the diplomatic headquarters of the Russian Federation in Havana, which has recently been joined by other organizations, is essential.
A federal agency, Rossotrudnichestvo, is providing the communities of each Cuban province with sufficient support. From it we receive sponsorship for activities, which helps us to revive and preserve Russian traditions and diversify our work as an association.
The coordinator of the Russian-speaking community in Holguin also meant the good relations that this associative form maintains with cultural and educational institutions, which makes it an integrating mechanism with Cuban society, which in many cases enriches it.
Thus, the links with the Alex Urquiola Provincial Library and its remarkable section of Russian literature and the training of future lyric singers at the local branch of the University of the Arts, who have as an indispensable requirement the learning of that language, stand out.
It is not necessary to know the language to belong to the Russian-speaking Community “Matrioshka”, nor does it have an official status, statutes, rules. All that is required is an interest in the culture of this Eurasian country and a desire to contribute to its promotion.
- Radio Festival in Holguin Recognizes Talent and Artistic Creation - 1 de May de 2025
- Together for Cuba this May Day - 1 de May de 2025
- Marrero Promotes Bold Tourism Strategy at FitCuba 2025 - 30 de April de 2025