Culture is a creation forged over time. It is not only a legacy or knowledge, but the state of mind in which we perceive our identity, as the renowned Cuban historian Eusebio Leal affirmed.
Cultural colonization in Cuba represents a chapter in our history. Since the arrival of the first Spanish conquistadors, not only the geography and economy have been transformed, but also the very fabric of our collective identity has been profoundly altered.
The colonizers brought with them their customs, their language, their beliefs, and their way of understanding the world, but in that encounter, the aboriginal, African, and later mestizo cultures did not disappear. Rather, they reemerged in new forms, giving rise to a cultural mosaic unique in the Caribbean.
Many ingredients of what Don Fernando Ortiz would call “ajiaco” arrived by sea.
Christopher Columbus brought bread, pork, beef, and also rice, which for Cubans is a part of every meal. Religions and their ceremonies arrived from Africa under one of the worst human conditions—slavery—influencing the Cuban sound, belief, and dance landscape.
From this entire process, the nation emerged, and we must accept it as it was built. Therefore, we must oppose any attempt to divide, categorize, or fragment who we are in all its richness and diversity.
Currently, there are private ventures that, embedded in the cultural industry, promote a culture far removed from our customs.
I remember a place in the city of Holguin, La Marqueta Square, which has recently become the scene of demonstrations that attempt to subjugate identity to an international trend of what we “really” should consume.
Such is the case of the popular Élite bar, organizer of the Miss Élite 2025 beauty pageant, a private event that took over public space and, in my opinion, was a Miami event where gilt and banality predominated.
This is one example of the many that spread throughout our society, specifically influenced by a profound lack of understanding of our idiosyncrasies and culture.
Meanwhile, going further, I celebrate the famous singer Bad Bunny, who has strengthened patriotism and cultural identity in young people through his new albums, especially his “DeBÍ TiRAR Más FoToS” album, where the artist not only pays tribute to the musical and cultural richness of his homeland but also denounces the social injustices plaguing the island.
On other topics, he warns about the dangers of losing culture and sovereignty and reaffirms the value of the flag and collective memory as symbols of resistance.
Safeguarding our culture is a priority for all, as we are its sole owners. This must be done from all spheres to preserve cultural sovereignty in the face of internal and external challenges.
By: Miguel David Bruzón Hernández
- Defending our culture, a priority for everyone - 23 de August de 2025
- ALBA-TCP rejects US military deployment and supports Nicolás Maduro - 23 de August de 2025
- China rejects Trump’s sanctions against Cuban medical cooperation - 22 de August de 2025