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• 08 / 29 / 2008

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Cecilia Valdes is considered a portrait of Cuban slavery and one of the first Cuban novels to deal with local customs, incestuous relationships, social injustice and the conflicts of the 19th century.

The tour is closing the 8th edition of Rutas y Andares (Routes and Walks), project organized by cultural institutions of Old Havana that encourages the Cuban families to visit museums and historical places every summer.

The tour is scheduled to depart from El Templete fortress where Spaniards founded the city, and end at the Cathedral Plaza where Cuban writer and 2003 National Literature Prize winner Reinaldo Gonzalez is launching a new edition of the novel Cecilia Valdes by Letras Cubanas publishing house.

Cecilia is a sensual "mulata" and illegitimate daughter of a wealthy 19th-century master who lives a passionate romance with whom she ignores to be her brother on her father´s side Leonardo de Gamboa.

The story inspired Cuban composer Gonzalo Roig to write a zarzuela under the same name in 1932 and filmmaker Humberto Solas to direct a film starred by 2007 National Cinema Prize winner Deysi Granados as Cecilia and Spanish actor Imanol Arias as Leonardo de Gamboa.

(PL)