Christmas in Cuba is one of the most joyous occasions in the country and observed with great fun and festivity. Following the declaration of
Cuba as an atheist nation in 1962, the festival was removed from list of holidays of Cuban calendar in the year 1969 when Fidel Castro decided it was interfering with the sugar harvest festival. Cuban authorities banned the public display of Christmas trees and nativity scenes, other than in places frequented by tourists, such as hotels. But in 1997, President Castro restored the holiday to honor, in the honor of the visit of Pope John Paul II in the island.
Tradition
Thousands of Cubans worship at midnight Masses , as church bells ring out across
Havana at the stroke of the midnight hour signifying
Cuba as an atheist nation in 1962, the festival was removed from list of holidays of Cuban calendar in the year 1969 when Fidel Castro decided it was interfering with the sugar harvest festival. Cuban authorities banned the public display of Christmas trees and nativity scenes, other than in places frequented by tourists, such as hotels. But in 1997, President Castro restored the holiday to honor, in the honor of the visit of Pope John Paul II in the island.
Tradition
Thousands of Cubans worship at midnight Masses , as church bells ring out across
Havana at the stroke of the midnight hour signifying