Havana celebrates 500 years!

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20th November 2019

Havana, Cuba's capital city, has celebrated its 500th anniversary. There was a big fireworks display and a special festival. People made wishes at the city's special tree, La Ceiba.

The government has fixed old buildings and organised exhibitions. President Miguel Diaz-Canel welcomed special visitors on 16th November. This was the day Havana first started. Local people stood around Havana Bay to watch the fireworks above the castle.

The celebrations show a new start for Havana. Lots of local people went to the city's special tree, La Ceiba. It is important in the local religion. People walked around the tree and touched it for good luck. They wished for health, money and wellbeing. A local engineer asked the tree to help everyone in the city. "I was very excited," she said.

The celebration is about Havana's past achievements and its future. But life in Havana is difficult. Trade with the USA is blocked by sanctions.

Havana was controlled by Spain for four hundred years. After independence, Cuba's government was supported by the USA. This changed when Cuba became a socialist country over 60 years ago. The relationship with the US has been very poor since then.

King Felipe of Spain visited Havana for the celebration. It was the first official visit by a Spanish monarch.

At a special meeting, President Diaz-Canel said Havana is "a city of science, dance, cinema, literature, sporting events and an example of resistance."