The German sailboat Alexander von Humboldt II stayed for a week at the port of Havana Bay, where its impressive three-masted silhouette broke the routine marked by blackouts and daily challenges.
The training ship, dedicated to educating young people in traditional sailing, combines sailing maneuvers, discipline, teamwork, and leadership with hands-on learning at sea.
During his stay in the Cuban capital, numerous residents of Havana came to admire and photograph him, standing in striking contrast to the crisis the country is experiencing.
The crew also had a meeting with the German ambassador to Cuba, during which they shared details of their journey, experiences in the island, and their impressions of Havana before continuing on their route.
On social media, the visit sparked enthusiastic comments about the beauty of the sailboat, as well as questions about the symbolic significance of its presence in the current national context.
Alexander von Humboldt: Science Connects the Past and Present
The name of the sailboat is not accidental. Alexander von Humboldt was the renowned German scientist and humanist who studied nature, geography, and society in Cuba in the early 19th century, leaving valuable analyses of the island. He is known as the "second discoverer of Cuba."
Regarding this historical figure, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Havana launched the contest "If Alexander von Humboldt Were to Return Today. What Would He Say?", aimed at residents of Cuba aged 16 and over.
The initiative invites you to record a reel of up to one minute for Instagram with a creative reflection on present-day Cuba. The submission deadline is March 15, 2026.
The winners will receive: an 11-inch iPad (256 GB, 2025) for first place; a Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (128 GB) for second; and JBL Tune Buds 2 with noise cancellation for third.
As the sailboat bearing his name departs from Havana, Humboldt's legacy returns to the discussion among today's Cubans.
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