Photo: Yaviel Peña de la Peña

Havana, May 3 (RHC)-- Artists, promoters, founders and participants from various latitudes returned today to the streets of Holguin to inaugurate the 30th edition of the Romerías de Mayo, World Festival of Artistic Youth, which brings together several events of different manifestations until next May 8.

In a parade from the Major General Calixto García Íñiguez stadium to the Provincial Museum La Periquera, a remembrance of modernity to traditions, the pilgrims demonstrated the multiculturalism of the people and the unity that defines them in each expression of art, with the conviction of maintaining the plurality and dynamism with which this event was conceived in 1994.

Several artists accompanied the young creators, among them students of the Raúl Gómez García Elementary School of Art, the Provincial Band of Concerts, Morón Theater, the Chinese Colony, the Guiñol Theater of Holguín, Tuyo Theater and the Folkloric Company La Campana.

This popular parade gave way to the inaugural gala, directed by Victor Osorio, who highlighted the traditions of the 30 years of the contest, which defines Holguin as the capital of young art every year, and which on this occasion featured soloists from the Rodrigo Prats Lyric Theater, the Codanza company, the Palabras al Viento stage collective, Mariachi Holguin, singer-songwriters Eduardo Sosa and David Blanco, and Axennar, the province's first female DJ.

Rodolfo Suárez Ochando, vice president of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power, highlighted in his welcoming remarks the relevance of this cultural event that has transcended the province's borders to reach international dimensions.

In turn, Yasel Toledo Garnache, vice president of the Saíz Brothers Association (AHS), highlighted in his opening speech the essence of this multicultural event, part of the historical and spiritual memory of the nation, by endorsing art as a safeguard of life and hope.

Let us fill this city, once again, with colors and hopes, a city that enamors those who come every May to its squares and parks, and that never stops dreaming, added Toledo Garnache.

With the impulse of the new times, a multitude of young people raised the Axe of Holguin, symbol of the city, to the top of the Loma de la Cruz, leaving officially inaugurated this XXX edition of Romerías.

The festival brings together creators from almost all over the country and from different parts of the world with more than 16 events in different squares, parks, centers and communities, with a broad program that includes concerts, theoretical events, plastic and scenic arts spaces, book presentations and tributes.