In a vibrant fusion of cultures, young Cuban students brought Tang Dynasty verses to life this week during Havana’s first classical Chinese poetry festival. Hosted by the Center of Chinese Arts and Traditions, the event turned Chinatown’s streets into a stage for cross-continental creativity.
🔊 "We’re seeing Gen Z bridge 8,000 miles through art," said Luis Chirino, a local reporter. Participants—all enrolled in Mandarin and cultural programs—performed intricate fan dances and recited Li Bai’s works in both Spanish and Mandarin.
More Than Just Words
The festival highlights Cuba’s growing interest in Chinese traditions, with youth-led workshops on calligraphy and tea ceremonies drawing crowds. One 15-year-old performer told us: "It’s like time-traveling—we’re connecting with ancestors we never knew through poetry." 🕰️✍️
With Sino-Caribbean cultural exchanges rising 40% this year compared to 2024, events like this could redefine Havana’s artistic identity. Who knew 7th-century poems would trend in 2025?
