MIAMI.- The nostalgia It is a party that disguises the longing for a memory as joy. For this reason, around the image of the Homeland, thousands of immigrants pay tribute to the largest of the Antilles in Cuba Nostalgia. A mixture of the unpleasantness of knowing she is enslaved, but with the hope that one day, sooner rather than later, she will break the shackles and rebuild it from the ruins where a regime keeps her submerged. Since the beginning, Cuba Nostalgia has been the meeting point for those who long to reconnect with the corners, sounds and flavors of the island. In this special edition, for the 25th anniversary. The event promises a unique experience that will captivate hearts in exile.
In conversation with DIARIO LAS AMÉRICAS, organizer Peter Regalado, along with his wife Stephanie De Quesada, said that the event will have a space to venerate the Patroness of Cuba. “It’s going to be special, to venerate our Virgin of Charity, we will have a Catholic mass on Sunday in the cathedral and we are going to broadcast it. But we will also celebrate Willy Chirino and his 50-year career, closing on Sunday with a great concert and the exhibition of his career in a kind of museum,” he explained.
But facing the challenges is not an easy task. Some said that in a relationship it would be a challenge to share work responsibilities equally.
For Regalado and his wife, “it’s actually a joy because we complement each other, I do the production and editing and she does the paperwork, the bills fall to Stephanie,” says Peter jokingly, while giving him a knowing look.
Cuba Nostalgia is like a birth, a gestation process where ideas see the light to bring infinite joy. “If we make the analogy, the last three weeks are the most difficult, the most stressful part. (laughs) Later, it’s Peter’s turn to organize the event,” Stephanie replies.
One of the very clear challenges is to attract youth to a space that radiates culture and traditions: “Three years ago we started a partnership with Miami Dade Collage to attract Cuban-Americans born here, many come as volunteers to work and tell the people about it. friends, plus children enter for free and that encourages parents. In its redesign, we are trying to encourage fun to be in line with the interests of the youngest people,” Peter emphasizes.
And he gives the guayabera as an example: “Many young people do not identify with that, but the Cuban guayabera is like a tuxedo. For any event, however, a young person almost has to be tied up to wear one.”
Of course, nothing would be possible without the support of people who are deeply involved in preserving Cuban culture. “We have had the support of many large Cuban companies, which make this event possible, but above all because they understand the importance of the celebration,” says Stephanie.
Since its inception, Cuba Nostalgia has been a meeting point for those who long to reconnect with the corners, sounds and flavors of the island. “We will have The Havana 3, Lena Burke, Leoni Torres, Roberto Torres, among others,” Regalado revealed. And of course, the host Willy Chirino and the exhibition of his fifty years of artistic life. In addition to the free concerts, Cuba Nostalgia will offer a wide variety of activities and attractions, including authentic Cuban cuisine, unique crafts and immersive exhibits that will highlight the island’s history and contributions to North American society.
To add more excitement, this event will also feature presenters Boncó Quiñongo and Carlucho, who will add their unique spark to the celebration.
“We are excited to celebrate 25 years of Cuba Nostalgia with such extraordinary programming. It will be a tribute to the Cuban cultural legacy and an opportunity to bring our community together around our traditions and values,” added the organizer. “Hopefully next year we will celebrate it in Cuba, that is a sign that he is now free.”
“Cuba Nostalgia is in the hearts of millions of Cubans outside their homeland, we would triple that when Cuba is free. I can imagine that moment, how many hidden young Cubans with talent, we do not know,” Peter emphasizes.
“We follow this tradition for our son who is six years old and we get involved for him – Stephanie clarifies – I grew up listening to the stories of my great-grandparents, grandparents and parents, but my son was not going to have that opportunity. “I see in my son the other children and what it means for them not to lose our tradition.”
The saying goes that remembering is reliving, and Cuba Nostalgia achieves precisely that by awakening longings for Cuba through music, dance, visual arts, gastronomy and all cultural expressions. The invitation is open.
Attendee panel closed
