Cuban theater, a mirror of reality

Theater in Cuba is not only a performing art, but also a space of resistance, identity, and memory. Every January 22nd, Cuban Theater Day is celebrated, commemorating the events of 1869 at the Villanueva Theater in Havana. During a performance of the play “Perro huevero, aunque le quemen el hocico” (Egg-Laying Dog, Even If They Burn Its Snout), the audience responded with cheers to the phrase “Long live the land that produces sugarcane!”, transforming the performance into a political act of support for the independence cause. That day brought an end to colonial repression, but it remains etched in history as a symbol of the union between art and nation.

In 1980, the date was officially declared Cuban Theater Day, solidifying the memory of that episode and recognizing the role of the performing arts in the country’s cultural history. Since then, activities, premieres, workshops, and award ceremonies have been held every year, reaffirming the vitality of this art form.