Hello Leyton... thanks for your call today...here is some information that perhaps can be posted, as you had mentioned in your phone message. I hope to talk to you soon.

take care,
Susan

Chinese Overseas Festival in Havana, Cuba : June 2-7, 1998

An Overseas Chinese Festival will take place from June 2- 7, 1998 in Havana, Cuba to celebrate the 151st anniversary of the Chinese presence in Cuba. The Festival is being organized by the Grupo Promotor del Barrio Chino de la Habana and the Casino Chung Wah (Chinese Benevolent Association). The Grupo Promotor has been working over the past several years to revitalize Havana's Chinatown and Chinese culture in Cuba. Last month two Cuban-Chinese representatives were invited to participate in the University of Berkeley's "Dialogue with Cuba" conference. Their first visit to California was highly successful.

The Cuban-Chinese hope that as many people as possible will be able to attend. They especially hope that people who perform Lion Dancing will be able to attend, as they will have a number of workshops on Lion Dancing and other arts. Please note that the organizers of the Festival may also be able to subsidize room and board for a few Lion Dancers if they can buy their own airline tickets. (See description of Lion Dance workshop below). They have offered a special package for all attendees (see below). This package includes hotel stay for 7 nights, tour guide, hotel transfers from airport, breakfast every morning, as well as trips to various Chinese monument sites in Havana. Several people went to the Havana Chinatown 151st anniversary event last year (1997) and reported that they had a great experience, so I encourage people to go. If you are interested in going on this trip, please feel free to contact Susan Chen at : 415-661-8564 . My email is : susycu@aol.com. I am a volunteer in assisting with this event because I really support the efforts of the Cuban-Chinese in their goals to revitalize Havana^Os Chinatown and Chinese culture in Cuba. Even if you may not go, if you are interested in making any donations or learning more about their efforts, please let me know.

The Chinese Overseas Festival is being announced in the spirit of making possible the communication and exchange among the different Chinese communities and institutions, so that they may all join the Cuban efforts in reviving the life and splendor of Havana's Chinatown, formerly one of the most renowned and flourishing in the Americas.

Chinese folk and their descendants, representatives of artistic, cultural, sport, scientific groups and institutions, as well as all kinds of trade representatives, and friends and lovers of Chinese culture, will get together in Havana to participate in the following events :

Chinese Art and Traditional Festival
Exhibitions and shows of the most representative aspects of Chinese art and traditions: theater, dance, martial arts, acrobatics and sports. Interchange of experiences between Chinese communities, about their history, its actualization and its future. Registration fee : $50 USD

Chinese Products Fair and Businessmen/women Meeting
In a convenient Chinese culture and trade environment, the fair will enable participants to be acquainted with the achievements of China, as well as the progress made by the Chinese communities all over the world: an outlook on their technology and production. The meeting of businessmen/women of Chinese origin will evaluate the possibilities offered by the Cuban system for investments and trade, in an open economy at the heart of the Caribbean and the Americas. The sale of Chinese art products, souvenirs and goods in general will also be available. Registration fee : $150 USD

Cost of Hotel Packages and Information on Travel to Cuba

June 1-8, 1998

Lodging (prices/US dollars)

NOTE : Includes : Lodging 7 nights in the chosen hotel, transportation from and to the airport to the hotel, and specialized guide services, breakfast daily, trips to Chinese cementary and chinese monument.

Hotel double rooms single rooms

SEVILLA $345.00 $510.00
PLAZA $330.00 $465.00
INGLATERRA $290.00 $420.00

There are other hotels as well, but the above three are most convenient in terms of convenience and proximity to el barrio chino.

Optional visits during the week of the Festival :

VALLE DE VIŅALES $44.00
Tobacco factory
Rum Factory
Criollo Lunch
Visit to Valle
PLAYAS DEL ESTE (beaches) $15.00

Free time to visit sand beaches in Playa del Este in Havana.

Both offers include transportation transfers and guide services. Note : the reservations should be made preferably 10 days prior to the visit.

Immigration Rules : Participants may obtain information at Cuban Embassies in their respective countries about how to obtain visas to enter Cuba (For those leaving from the U.S. who are US citizens not born in Cuba, the visa is included in the price of the airline ticket to Cuba. Please ask Susan about this. I believe for those US citizens born in Cuba, a visa may be obtained from the Cuban Interests Section in Washington D.C.).

Offical Money : US dollar
Credit Cards and Travel Checks : Credit cards that are allowed : Mastercard, Carnet, JCB. American Bank credit cards are not accepted. Travel checks that are not accepted : American Express, and Pinto Sotomayor from Brazil.

Arrival to The Republic of Cuba : It is recommended that visitors arrive at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana.
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The LION'S DANCE party

In this art's party we have the opportunity to go in the history of the chinese traditions with a high color and popularity. The Lion's Dance by means of a meeting - in which you have an active participation.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

1- Lectures about origins, myths and legends of the Lion's Dance.
2- Practical demonstration of the technique used.
3- Demonstrations and descriptions about the music.
4- Execution of Lion's Dance.

- Registration fee: 10:00 USD
- It includes credentials and participation certificate.
- Registration date: until May 15th, 1998.

Place: Min Chih Tang. Chinese Society.

Day: June 5th 1998.

Time: 09:00 a.m.

For more information, please contact:

Casa de Artes y Tradiciones Chinas
Salud 313 e/ Gervasio y Escobar
Centro Habana, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba.
Tlf (537)63 9632, Fax (537) 31 51 35
E-mail: chinatwn.@mail.infocom.etecsa.cu

You may also contact S. Chen at "susycu@aol.com" with any questions about travel to Cuba, Festival costs, itinerary and etcetera. Individuals from the U.S. and Canada will be attending the Festival.