Cuba’s capital is celebrating 500-years since its founding.
Havana celebrated with festivities and a cultural gala at the Capitol building, attended by thousands of guests.
CGTN’s Luis Chirino has the details.
With a colorful fireworks display and Cuban music playing in the streets, Havana citizens wished their city a happy birthday during a cultural gala on Saturday to mark the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Cuban capital.
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The gala was held in the National Capitol building and was attended by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and over 5,000 guests. The 1920s emblematic neoclassical building was recently refurbished and restored to serve as the seat of the Cuban parliament.
A local project ahead of the anniversary restored the streets, parks and monuments. New spaces for state and private services were opened on local boulevards. Market places were also refurbished- restoring them to their former glory- when they first opened many years ago.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain also took part in the anniversary celebrations.
In addition, the Queen has visited the Melchor Gaspar de Jovellanos Workshop School of the @AECID_es.
Over 1,500 young people have already graduated from the centre, and have been responsible for restoring heritage sites such as the Convent of San Francisco de Asís in #Havana. pic.twitter.com/Px59G9uDmP
— Spain MFA (@SpainMFA) November 13, 2019
Havana citizens say that celebrations for their city’s 500th birthday and its achievements over the years mark a starting point to further improve the social and economic life of the Cuban capital and its people in the years to come.