CI visited this very special community centre on my second day in Havana. It is a centre for Santeria religion in Havana as well as a vibrant community hub. The artist Salvador Gonzalez painted the huge murals of Yoruban Orishas on the walls of this small alleyway in Central Havana in order to help revitalize a very poor community. In the middle of the alley is an area that is partially covered and gives the space a place to hold functions – such as rhumba drumming on Sundays from noon to 3 or other events, like the children’s plays I saw the day I visited. In addition, a small art gallery and shop sells paintings by local artists and CDs of music made by the local drumming community. It is a unique explosion of colour and community – and I loved the energy of the place.  While the Sunday drumming may bring in many tourists, it is much more than a tourist stop to the local community.

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Here is a video of some of the dancing that occurs on Sunday afternoons.

7 responses to “C is for Callejon de Hamel in Havana”

  1. I absolutely LOVE Cuba, and especially like visiting Havana for the colour, the history and the culture! Thank you for sharing!

  2. Those are some fantastic photos. Looks like a really interesting place to visit.

    Cait @ Click’s Clan

  3. Very colorful and beautiful photos. Looks interesting.

  4. […] and along the Avenue of Presidents, past the University of Havana and the cemetery. She took me to Callejon de Hammel, acting as my translator, and surprised me by going to the John Lennon Parque. We even ran out of […]

  5. […] already written a lot about Callejon de Hamel.  While I was there, I saw several priests busy working around the area to clean and prepare […]

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