Culture

Cuban culture is rooted in the islands ethnic mixture. Particularly  characteristic is its music which, after of the United States and Brazil, Cuba  is the thirth most powerfull country in the musical field in the contemporary world.

Cuban cinema has earned international prestige. The Cuban Film Institute ICAIC produces full  length features and documentaries.

Cuban  traditions are preserved in the carnivals, as well as folklore dance group, such  as the National Folk Ensemble, and in country music ballads.

Cuba has three principal dance companies The Cuban National Ballet, the Camaguey Ballet and National Dance of Cuba.

There are many museuns in Havana and the provincial capitals. Some of the leading figures in  the Cuban art world are:

Literature: Jose Maria Heredia, Cirilo Villaverde, Julian del Casals, Jose Marti, Alejo Carpentier, Jose Lezama Lima and Miguel  Barnet.

Visual Arts: Victor  Manuel, Carlos Enriquez, Servando Cabrera Moreno, Amelia Pelaez, Rene Portocarrero, Wifredo Lam, Rita Longa, Raul Martinez and Manuel  Mendive.

Music: Esteban Salas, Amadeo Roldan, Alejandro Garcia  Caturla, Ernesto Lecuona,Rita Montaner, Ignacio Villa, Bola de Nieve, Beny More, Gonzalo Roig y Leo Brouwer.

Filmography: Santiago Alvarez and Tomas Gutierrez  Alea.