Cuban festival sounds great for Dublin

THE capital is going Caribbean for the first ever Cuba Dublin Festival which was announced last week.

It will be cocktail and salsa all the way as the streets of the city resound to the sights and smells of the island nation from June 8-16.

Details of the festival were unveiled at the official launch in the Mansion House last week.

Speaking at the launch of the festival, the Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, Teresita Trujillo, said:

“With the start of summer, it gives me great pleasure to announce the holding of the first edition of Cuba Dublin Festival, taking place in venues all over the city.

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The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise � Muirí, added:

“The Cuba Dublin Festival promises to be a very attractive event for Dubliners and visitors. The festival will bring the spirit of Cuban culture and traditions to our increasingly multicultural city, with a wide range of activities for every age.

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The festival programme has a range of events to interest almost everyone, young and old.

It will have a special focus on families, with one of the highlights being the Cuban Traditional Family Day, on Sunday, June 9 from 11am at Wanderers’ Football Club in Ballsbridge.

The day features baseball matches for children and adults, kite flying, information on travel to Cuba, authentic Cuban lunch, live music and a few surprises.

Cuban bands Sabor Cubano and Chakao will perform live at various venues during the week. A cigar roller from Cuba will be on hand to show Dubliners how to roll the perfect Cuban cigar and other cigar events will be taking place in a range of venues. A series of Cuban films will also be shown during the festival.

The Cuban community in Ireland is centrally involved in the planning of the festival. For Cubans, it is a reunion in the year of

‘The Gathering’ which the Cuban community wants to share with their Irish friends.

The festival will be launching the

‘Cuban Dublin Cocktail 2013 Competition’, and Cubay and Santiago de Cuba rums will be available in Ireland for the first time in addition to Havana Club.

People will be able to enjoy Cubanero and Palma Cristal beers, as well as Cuban food in participating venues which will be preparing their own cocktail based on authentic Cuban rum with a very special Dublin flavour.

The Cocktail Competition Award and prizes including three of a week’s holiday in Cuba for two people will be presented at the closing of the festival on June 16.

Further details of the festival are available at www.cubadublinfestival.com