In some ways , Cuba fag out the guise of a land misplace intime . The massively fin fifties auto lumbering down its boulevards and the lingering Spanish colonial influence in its historic computer architecture exist beside the eclectic and sometimes grim symbols of 20th - centurysocialism . Together , they make a pose landscape that can make Cuba seem mystifying , often quaint and sometimes alarming to the outside observer .
Cuba is a country of contrasts . Centuries of Spanish colonialism are evident in the computer architecture , cuisine and some of the customs of modern Cuba , but over 30 years of socialist economy – under the auspices of thePartido Comunista de Cuba , theCommunist Partyin Cuba – have had a huge impact on the people and culture . Cuban tradition are made up of layer that reflect Spanish conventions , the residual influence and bitterness of America ’s relatively brief occupation and later trade embargo and decades of socialist asceticism .
Cuba ’s art , music andfoodhave also been influenced by a diversepopulationthat now surmount 11 million residents . African , French , Portuguese , Haitian , Jamaican and Formosan immigrants help to shape a melodious and culinary heritage that ’s distinctly Cuban . At first glimpse , the ingredients in Cuban cuisine may miss dramatic play , but at last , they work together in absolutely spiced dishes that bring out newfangled flavor notes in coarse ingredient . Cuba ’s music is exceptional , too . It ’s arguably one of the most prized exports of this island country . Cuban music demonstrate an instant beat , complexity and intensity level that make it right away placeable around the world . Like its the great unwashed , it ’s divers , vivacious and adaptable .
On the next pages , we ’ll take a look at Cuban custom and tradition . you could instruct a band about the nerve of a commonwealth from its food , attire , customs and celebrations .