ASSOULINE

Book: Havana Blues

Pastel-coloured, dilapidated façades line its streets; vintage cars parked along the roadside evoke times gone by; live music fills the air. Welcome to Havana, a city brimming with energy. Situated along the Strait of Florida, Cuba’s capital has had several different identities: The Spanish colonial era, the mafia of the 1930s, the glamour of the 1950s, the Cuban Revolution and, more recently, the cultural renaissance. Havana’s bold and provocative approach to art, cuisine and entertainment (along with its eclectic blend of African, French, Spanish and North American influences) and the diversity of its architectural styles, from the 16th century to the present day, confer on this epic city a legendary status on a par with the world’s greatest cities. Whilst some of the buildings are in a state of disrepair, the beauty of the Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Deco features shines through. The iconic Copa Room cabaret, which once hosted Ginger Rogers and Abbott and Costello, is still there. The Gran Teatro de la Habana, built in the early 20th century, is now home to the Cuban National Ballet. Habana Vieja is undergoing a major restoration programme to restore it to its former glory. Havana might be seen as a work in progress, but it is, rather, a testament to its ongoing determination to improve and move forward – which may well be the very thing that attracts so many visitors. So why not take a seat in an authentic paladar (family-run restaurant) and enjoy Havana’s dynamic transformation? Size & Fit: 25 x 33 cm.
Weight: 2.7 kg. Further information: Language: English.
Author: Pamela Ruiz.
296 pages. Hardback.
Editions: Assouline.
ISBN: 9781649800046.
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