Jazz Plaza: Cuba’s World-Famous Festival Begins

Cuba’s International Jazz Plaza Festival is kicking off and we are here to provide on-the-ground coverage.

For over four decades, the event has attracted artists from all over the world. For the first time, the festival is expanding to four cities, bringing Cuban and international musicians to theaters, streets, and public spaces across the country. Jazz Plaza is more than just concerts, it’s a space for exchange and collaboration — where music becomes a form of dialogue and resilience amid increasing external threats and a deepening economic crisis. 

Follow Belly of the Beast to make sure you don’t miss out on our upcoming coverage from inside #Cuba’s world-renowned International Jazz Festival.

TRANSCRIPT

“We’re in Havana, where the annual International Jazz Plaza Festival is kicking off,” said Liz Oliva, reporting from the opening concerts of Cuba’s Jazz Plaza Festival.

“It’s one of the most influential music events in the region and, for four decades, has served as a platform for cultural exchange between Cuba and the United States. Today, despite growing U.S. government threats and a worsening economic crisis, the festival continues to bring artists from Cuba and around the world together, performing in theaters, streets and cultural spaces.

“But the Jazz Plaza Festival is a lot more than just a series of concerts.

“It’s a space for exchange and collaboration, turning music into a dialogue on resistance and expression.

“Follow Belly of the Beast to make sure you don’t miss our coverage of Cuba’s world-famous Jazz Festival.”