Each May, the eastern Cuban city of Holguín transforms into the Capital of Young Art during the Romerías de Mayo, one of the country’s most vibrant cultural festivals. Though its origins go back to 1790, when a Franciscan friar placed a cross atop the Loma de la Cruz to protect the town, today the festival is far more cultural than religious.
The opening still honors tradition: thousands climb the 458 steps to the hill in a symbolic pilgrimage. But instead of solemn prayers, the ascent carries with it music, laughter, and the spirit of creation—artists raising what they call the “torch of culture,” a flame representing knowledge, unity, and creativity.
From May 2 to 8, Holguín comes alive with a dazzling program. What began as a local tradition has grown since the 1990s into an international festival that brings together dancers, musicians, actors, writers, academics, and visual artists from across Cuba and abroad.
The festival has become a carnival of culture:
The event’s inclusiveness has made it one of Cuba’s most important artistic gatherings—welcoming delegations from Mexico, Canada, France, and many other countries.
Holguín is Cuba’s fourth largest city, yet it retains the feel of a community where culture and tradition walk hand in hand. During the Romerías, the streets resemble a carnival: dancers in bright costumes, musicians playing in open plazas, families mingling with visitors from across the world.
Beyond the festival, Holguín offers treasures to explore—its colonial cathedral, art and history museums, the wide Calixto García Park, and of course, the panoramic view from the Loma de la Cruz. Just outside the city lie some of Cuba’s finest beaches: Guardalavaca, Esmeralda, and Pesquero, and natural wonders like Pico Cristal National Park.
After a day of parades and music, I often find myself seeking a quiet corner to reflect. That is when a cigar becomes my companion. One year, after a lively concert in Calixto García Park, I lit a Trinidad Esmeralda. Its smooth, aromatic profile mirrored the festive yet elegant tone of the evening, giving me time to let the day’s energy sink in.
On another night, after climbing the 458 steps of the Loma de la Cruz, I carried a Montecristo Double Edmundo. Its strength and generous format were perfect for watching the city lights flicker below, the cigar smoke mingling with the night air—a moment of stillness after the celebration.
If you come, stop at our cigar shop before your journey. Whether you choose a Hoyo de Monterrey for its light touch or a Partagás Serie E No. 2 for its boldness, your cigar will frame your Romerías experience with reflection.
Traveling to Holguín is easier than ever. Frank País International Airport connects directly to several international cities, while rental cars and guided tours provide the freedom to explore not just the festival, but also the beaches and countryside beyond. Through trusted partners, we can arrange travel agreements, accommodations, and curated cultural tours, making your Romerías experience seamless.
The Romerías de Mayo are more than a festival—they are a bridge between past and present, tradition and modernity, Holguín and the world. They remind us that culture is alive, evolving, and shared.
So whether you come this year or plan for the next, I invite you to walk Holguín’s streets during the Romerías. Follow the parades, dance to the music, listen to the voices of young artists, and climb the Loma de la Cruz with the torch of culture in your heart.
And when the night falls and the celebrations pause, light your cigar. Let the smoke carry your reflections into the starry eastern sky, joining centuries of tradition with the timeless rhythm of Cuban culture.
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