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Whether it's the pleasant tropical climate and natural beauties, or the welcoming and friendly nature of the people, or the pursuit of cosmopolitanism in an attempt to counteract the fact that it is an island, Cuba has always been privileged with the presence of famous visitors. Despite the social and political instability, countless celebrities visited the Island during the 50s, especially movie stars, people in show business and singers, most likely attracted by the glamour of Havana's nightlife.
The changes that came about in Cuba after 1959; its atypicality regarding the rest of Latin America; the cultural heritage accumulated through centuries furthered by the creation of institutions, schools, competitions and festivals; the universal fame of its musicians, dancers, athletes and scientists, have continued attracting the attention of illustrious visitors, some hiding behind a cloak of anonymity, but almost always discovered by passers-by much to the latter's delight.
Gabriel García Márquez
Colombian short-story writer and novelist, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982, García Márquez first came to Havana in January 1959; since then, nobody can really say how many times he has visited the Island to write, report, serve as juror of the Festival of New Latin American Cinema, teach at the International School of Cinema at San Antonio de los Baños, chat with friends or simply be here, perhaps because the unpredictable Cubans remind him of the inhabitants of his mythical Macondo.
Jean Paul Sartre
The famous French existentialist philosopher, dramatist, novelist and journalist arrived in Cuba in 1960 with his writer-wife Simone de Beauvoir, attracted by the legendary young bearded rebels who were testing new ways of governing in Latin America. After touring parts of the country and meeting with Cuban cultural and political figures, including Ernesto Che Guevara, he wrote Huracán sobre el azúcar [Hurricane over Sugar], with spectacular print runs.
Robert Fischer
This brilliant American chess player attended the 17th World Championship held in Havana in 1966. The year before, because of the Department of State’s refusal to grant him a licence to travel to Cuba, he took part in a unique and unprecedented event in the history of chess: while remaining in the US, he participated in the 4th Capablanca in Memoriam Tournament held in Havana, establishing communication through the teletype and the telephone.
Carla Fracci
Ever since this prima ballerina and director of the Rome Opera House came to Cuba for the first time in 1974 to dance Giselle at the International Ballet Festival, the star of Italian ballet has continued to visit Cuba frequently. Always eagerly-awaited by Cuban balletomanes, she was received with a standing ovation in November 2006 when she danced Desnuda luz de amor [Love’s Naked Light], a ballet especially created and choreographed for her by Alicia Alonso.
Michel legrand
Famous for his film score of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, a favourite among Cuban film buffs, this French composer came to Cuba with his sister Christiane and his group to take part in the 1984 Varadero International Song Festival. On a later visit, he and Chucho Valdés rendered a memorable piano performance of his Concertoratorio,directed by the beautiful and talented Zenaida Romeu
Madre Teresa de Calcuta
Originally named Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, Nobel Peace laureate in 1979, she arrived in Cuba in 1986 to carry out a programme of visits to religious centres in the capital. Her peculiar charisma and the sympathy she aroused by her ministry among the poor and the sick made her stay, although brief, an event of great significance. A sculpture that stands in the gardens of the San Francisco de Asís Convent keeps alive Mother Teresa’s presence among Cubans.
Günter Grass
The multifaceted German novelist, poet, and dramatist, 1999 Nobel Prize winner, and controversial figure for his collaboration with Nazism in his youth, accepted the invitation extended by the Cuban Book Institute to visit Havana in 1993. During his stay, the author of The Tin Drum gave a memorable reading and met with the cream of Havana’s intelligentsia.
Juan Pablo II
Karol Wojtyla visited Cuba in 1998, the first pope ever to set foot on Cuban soil. The extraordinary welcome given by the Cuban authorities and the people of the capital continued throughout the island in an outburst of rejoicing and fervour by Catholic believers wherever he went. His presence went beyond all expectations and his visit is inscribed as one of the most moving in the history of Cuba
Jack Nicholson
Attracted by the universal fame of Cuban cigars, this extraordinary American actor arrived in the Cuban capital as a distinguished guest of the Habano Festival, which is held every year in Cuba. Although he managed to avoid the reporters, he couldn’t escape from the many fans who stopped him during his tour of Old Havana.
Naomi Campbell
Accompanied by also top model Kate Moss, this glamorous British model came to Havana in 1998 for a photo session. A guest at the no less glamorous Hotel Nacional, frequented by the rich and famous ever since it opened its doors, this sensational model dazzled reporters and onlookers alike with her friendly and unassuming manner, which is on a par with her beauty.
Sus Majestades Juan Carlos y Sofía, King & Queen of Spain
Although Cuba was one of the most prized possessions of the Spanish Empire in the New World, it was never visited by any of its kings, and the chair in the throne room of the Palace of the Captains General in Havana has never been occupied. Perhaps this is why the King and Queen of Spain were so enthusiastically received by the Cuban people during their participation in the Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government in 1999. Although they declined to occupy the throne chair, they were nevertheless given a spontaneous and warm welcome by everyone they met
Paul McCartney
Ex-Beatle Paul arrived incognito in Santiago de Cuba in the year 2000. During his very brief stay, he toured the city, visited the Bacardí Museum and the Morro, listened to traditional Cuban music at the Casa de la Trova, and signed the inevitable autographs for fans. He bought CDs, cigars and souvenirs. Back at the airport where he had landed earlier that same day, he was seen off to the melody of his immortal Yesterday.
Steven Spielberg
Invited by the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC) in 2002, film director Steven Spielberg arrived in Havana accompanied by his beautiful wife, actress Kate Capshaw; director of photography, Janusz Kaminski; and TV producer, Jake Paltrow. His presence was celebrated with a Spielberg film festival with showings in four of the best movie theatres of the capital and numerous video halls throughout the country. Perhaps the great deal of excitement created by Spielberg’s visit made the presence of another celebrity less talked about: Sir George Martin, “the fifth Beatle", was also in Havana at that time.
Oliver Stone
This Oscar-winning film director arrived in Cuba in 2002 to make a documentary about President Fidel Castro, who is “a Platoon and Salvador fan", in the words of Oliver Stone. Thirty hours of filmed material were later edited and used for Comandante, Stone’s intimate view of the mythical leader on film.
Sting
According to Sting, ex bass player and lead singer of The Police, he came to Havana in late 2006 to learn to dance Afro-Cuban dances. This is why he was often seen at the Ballet School and at the Mella Theatre, home to the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional, although one cannot dismiss the possibility that fellow musicians from The Police, guitar player Andy Summers and drummer Stuart Copeland, who visited Cuba in 1999, would have praised Cuba’s climate and especially the richness of its music. Whatever the reason, Sting’s visit was a real treat for Cuban rock fans.
Rates:
walking tour in old Havana(aprox. 3 hours) 30 US dollar /30 € per person.
for the vintage car tour ask for information or request. |
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