Once Cuban couples said "I do" in a collective wedding held in Parque Céspedes in Santiago de Cuba, transformed into a symbolic "chapel of love," at an event that was not without the presence of communist authorities.
Taking advantage of the celebration of Valentine's Day on February 14, couples formalized their marriage before notaries from the Civil Registry in a public ceremony in the central venue.
The event, organized by the government, had the blessing of local authorities, including Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the Provincial Committee of the PCC. This means that the couples received the regime's congratulations, as can be seen in the report published by TurquinoTeVe on YouTube.
In 2019, a similar collective wedding took place at the same location, involving eight couples. On that occasion, the unions were witnessed by the then First Secretary of the Communist Party in the provincial headquarters, Niurka Bell Calzado, and the former President of the Municipal Assembly of the People's Power, Raúl Fornés Valenciano, who is now the Vice President of INDER.
The idea has come to life not just in February. In fact, when one thought that everything imaginable had already been dedicated to the late dictator Fidel Castro in Cuba, it turns out that in 2017 this news appeared on television: “Thirteen couples got married on August 13th in tribute to Fidel Castro's 91st birthday.”
It was acollective wedding of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), a type of ceremony that used to be common among Cuban military personnel and was revived to pay tribute to Castro.
And as it was considered a resounding success, on Monday, August 13, 2018, they repeated the idea at the Central House of the FAR in Havana. They called this unusual celebration: “Under Arms in Tribute to the 92nd Anniversary of the Birth of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Collective Weddings in Cuba and Their Political Context
What are collective weddings in Cuba and where are they held?
Collective weddings in Cuba are public ceremonies where several couples marry at the same time. These ceremonies are often held in symbolic locations such as Parque Céspedes in Santiago de Cuba, taking advantage of significant dates like Valentine's Day. Collective weddings have been used as events to display the regime's endorsement and the presence of communist authorities.
What is the role of the government in the organization of these collective weddings?
The Cuban government organizes and supports collective weddings as a form of propaganda. With the presence of Communist Party officials, these ceremonies become events that aim to showcase the approval and blessing of the regime. Collective weddings are a way to reinforce the image of unity and control of the government in Cuban society.
How is this type of event related to other celebrations organized by the Cuban regime?
The collective weddings in Cuba are part of a series of events organized by the regime to reinforce its ideology and control. These events include celebrations of the birthdays of revolutionary figures, military ceremonies, and other activities that aim to humanize and legitimize the government in the eyes of the public. In the context of an economic and social crisis, these celebrations are seen as attempts to divert attention from the real problems facing the country.
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