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Havana marks 500th anniversary with special gala

20th November 2019

Cuba's capital, Havana, celebrated its 500th anniversary with a huge fireworks display and a special gala. People made wishes at the city's symbolic tree.

For the gala, the government celebrated Havana by repairing buildings and holding exhibitions. President Miguel Diaz-Canel welcomed special guests on 16th November. This was the day Spanish invaders had founded the city 500 years before. In the evening, crowds of locals watched a colourful fireworks display over the city's Morro Castle.

The celebrations represent a new beginning for Havana. Many local citizens visited the city's silk floss tree, La Ceiba. It's important in Cuba's Santeria religion. They walked around the tree, touching it for good luck after a local professor had given them access to the historic site. They wished for health, money and wellbeing. One local chemical engineer, Irene Dominguez, asked the La Ceiba tree to protect the wellbeing of the whole city. "I was very excited, I yelled and was near tears," she said.

Havana is celebrating 500 years of achievements. However, citizens are under pressure from US sanctions and economic problems. Havana had been ruled by Spain for four centuries before winning independence. Following that, Cuba's government was backed by the USA. Since Cuba became a socialist country over 60 years ago, its relationship with the US has been very tense.

One important guest at Havana's anniversary was King Felipe of Spain. It was the first state visit by a Spanish monarch. He was met by Raul Castro, leader of the Communist Party.

President Diaz-Canel told guests at a special gathering: "Havana, a city of science, dance, cinema, literature, sporting events is an example of resistance in the face of neoliberalism."

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