Page 29 - Revista Buen Viaje a Cuba. No.4. Inglés. Año 2023

CULTURE

Gibara and its charms shine Some experts say that the name “Gibara” derives mansion that contains the Art Museum, where a
from jibá, an indigenous word that gives its name
large collection of works from the 19th and 20th
centuries is housed; and the Municipal History
to a type of tree that is very abundant in the area;
in eastern Cuba for others it comes from jíbaro, a term of Indian Museum, home to cultural projects, talks and
origin that means rustic and indomitable. However,
activities for the community.
the color of the facades of its houses, together with
Near Gibara are the Caletones and Los Bajos
the presence of numerous crustaceans that wander
from the forests to the neighboring sea, have earned beaches, an attraction that adds to the welcome of
Gibara the nickname “the White Village of Crabs.” very hospitable people of Gibara. Ecotourism is also
encouraged there with excursions to the Tanques
Azules on Caletones beach, boat rides along the
Cacoyugüín River to its mouth in the bay and visits
to the famous Cueva de los Panaderos.
And it is impossible not to mention the
International Film Festival, a cultural milestone of
the city. Created by film director Humberto Solás,
its first edition took place in 2003, under the name
of International No-Budget Film Festival. Today, the
event has changed its name, but not its original
values; and continues to promote the various
aspects of this audiovisual art.

The city features numerous natural and urban National or foreign tourists will find several
attractions. Among the latter, its historic center was accommodation facilities in Gibara, including
declared a National Monument in 2004 and is the heritage hotels from the Cubanacán Group,
most important colonial architectural complex in the such as the Ordoño, Arsenita and Plaza Colón,
province of Holguín. In addition, it has been proposed as well as family homes and cozy hostels.
as a World Heritage Site. Likewise, Gibara was Numerous private restaurants, the
included in the Network of Heritage Cities of Cuba. La Loja Bar and the Siglo XX Cultural
Recreation Center contribute to gastronomic
Among the must-see sites for visitors are: the and leisure life in this city marked by the
Natural History Museum; the San Fulgencio breeze from its boardwalk and the echo of
church, which dates back to 1820; the neoclassical film showings.

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