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The traditional parrandas de Guayos, in the municipality of Cabaiguán, province of Sancti Spíritus, remain suspended despite the discontent of the residents, who had been preparing for months to celebrate the centenary of the festival, recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The decision was confirmed by local authorities through an official note published by institutional channels, citing economic, health, and social sensitivity reasons due to the national situation following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated eastern Cuba.
“The recent times have been extremely difficult for Cubans... now a cyclone has ravaged the eastern part of the country, leaving hundreds of Cubans with nothing,” says the statement released by the local government in the local newspaper Escambray, which claims to have made the decision after “extensive analyses” with provincial authorities, neighborhood leaders, and community leaders.
However, many residents of Guayanes believe the suspension is unjustified and interpret it as yet another indication of the lack of political will to support popular cultural expressions amidst the country's widespread crisis.
On social media, users reported that the resources already invested could be lost and that community enthusiasm "has been trampled by bureaucratic decisions."
The Guayos parrandas, featuring the neighborhoods El Chivo and La Rana, are one of the oldest and most cherished celebrations in the center of the island.
Every year, the community organizes for months to build floats, create fireworks, and rehearse dance troupes, in a competition of color, music, and tradition.
This 2025 was meant to mark the centenary of the festival, a milestone for generations of people from Sancti Spíritus who, even in times of scarcity, have defended the right to celebrate their culture and local identity.
“Initiatives had been prepared, resources were invested, a large influx of visitors was expected... and now everything is on indefinite hold”, lamented a local resident in statements shared on social media.
In its note, the municipal government of Cabaiguán cited the difficult economic and health situation, with the presence of arbovirus infections in the region, as well as the need to prioritize attention to the eastern part of the country following Hurricane Melissa.
Even so, he promised that “the main festival of Guayos will be held when conditions allow” and that “all acquired resources will be preserved”.
However, in Guayos, disappointment prevails. Many remember that this is not the first time the authorities have suspended the parrandas for political or force majeure reasons, while the community continues to await real support to preserve its cultural heritage.
The parrandas —declared by UNESCO in 2018 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity— are an integral part of Cuban cultural fabric, especially in the central regions.
Its suspension in Guayos, in addition to the emotional impact, highlights the loss of cultural autonomy and the institutional deterioration that the island experiences under state control over social and artistic life.
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