Ciro Bianchi: French Influence on Cuban Culture

Cuban journalist and writer Ciro Bianchi talked about the enigmas and curiosities in the history of French influence in Cuba, during the first session of lectures held on Wednesday in 2014 FITCuba.

The expert told the attendees how the influence of that European nation’s traditions and culture has been present in the life of Cubans for centuries. For example, Cuban cotillion was born in the early 19th century, along with the rhythms of danzon, habanera, guajira, waltz and cotillion.

Paris —Bianchi underlined— was one of the first international stages where Cuban music was played, and that triggered the interest in the rhythms from this American region, with son and conga making the Caribbean land shake.

He commented that Los Zafiros performed at Olimpia Theater, while the Champs Elysées’ theater put Cuban Jorge Luis Prat on the map.

Engineer Francisco Albear was awarded by France because of Havana’s Aqueduct, one of the seven wonders of Cuban civil engineering.

In the same breath, such significant social and economic works as Havana’s and Fifth Avenue’s tunnels were built by French companies.

Lezama Lima, who became an expert on French culture, never visited that European nation; and modernist Julián del Cazal spent his entire fortune to travel to France, but he was afraid of breaking the dream and couldn’t go beyond Spain, he added.

Cuban writer and poet José Martí arrived in France after his first exile and met Víctor Hugo, the Cuban journalist commented and emphasized that, since the 19th century, there were Cuban poets who adopted French language as their own and used it in their work.

On the other hand, French culture has influenced Cuban cuisine, and several recipes were adapted to the typical ingredients of Cuban gastronomy.

That’s why Cuban lobster is prepared with garlic, pepper, and mustard to give it different scent and taste, he said.

Scholar Bianchi talked about different aspects and elements of culture, history and experiences that connect Cuba and France, in a meeting with the attendees to the 34th edition of FITCuba, to take place in Morro-Cabaña Park through May 10.