To the JINR anniversary

In the rhythms of salsa, rumba, heart

On 31 January, the JINR Universal Library hosted an evening of Cuban culture dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Cuba's membership in JINR. Acquaintance with the republic began with a small photo exhibition dedicated to the flora and fauna of Cuba, its picturesque corners, sights of Havana. Some photos were taken by JINR staff.

The organizers greeted the guests with traditional Cuban treats, music and a selection of historical photographs and videos about Cuba's participation in JINR, the work and leisure of current members of the community, as well as scientific events recently held in Cuba. Today, the Cubans work in FLNP, LRB, VBLHEP, DLNP of JINR. In March, together with the 70th anniversary of JINR, Cuba will celebrate 50 years of its membership in the Joint Institute. "We have organized this meeting to share with you a piece of our culture and traditions," the leading community leaders Katherin Shtejer (DLNP) and Luis Miguel Ledo (FLNP) (in photo) opened the event. They briefly introduced us to the history, geography and present day of their homeland. Cuba is home to 11 million people, with 2 million in Havana. In addition to the largest island, the state unites more than 1600 small islands. The average life expectancy of Cubans is 79 years. Children are considered the treasure of the republic, secondary education is free and compulsory, so literacy in the country is almost 100 percent. Science and technology - nuclear physics, pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, biotechnology and others develop in Cuba. The republic is an Olympic power that has won more than 240 Olympic medals in its history.

Cuba's vibrant and distinctive culture has absorbed the sun and bright colors, joy and feelings of dignity and solidarity. The hosts invited everyone to travel through various manifestations of Cuban culture and traditions. In this, the Cubans were helped by their friends from the Dance Group "Phylosophy Dance", or "PhD". We listened to the guitar and drums, learnt about the history of the emergence of several traditional Cuban dance genres and saw their bright and temperamental performance by members of the community and members of the Dance Group with the support of active participants.

This is how we learned that salsa son cubano, a dance genre that appeared in Cuba at the end of the 19th century, was danced in all Havana casinos in the first half of the last century. "It gives us pleasure that they like to dance salsa in Dubna," the hosts emphasized and the Dance Club "PhD" immediately proved this statement incendiary. And the rhythms of rumba that as a dance genre originated in the 19th century in poor neighborhoods and port areas of Cuba, were brilliantly demonstrated by the participants of the African Drum Ensemble "School of Rhythm", in which JINR employees also participate.

The fun quiz added to our knowledge of Liberty Island. Someone learned more about traditional Cuban cocktails, someone remembered that 9,550 km share Moscow with the island. But no matter how many thousands of kilometers we were separated, after that evening, Cuba definitely became closer to everyone.

Olga TARANTINA
Photos by Elena PUZYNINA