The Cuban government is orchestrating a nationwide casino dance event in public squares and parks across the island on May 3rd. This initiative, promoted by official institutions, aims to fill the streets with music and dance, portraying Cuba as a joyful and harmonious nation despite the mounting social unrest and severe economic crisis it faces.
Presented as a tribute to the National Day of Son, this campaign is being pushed on social media by figures like former spy Gerardo Hernández, in yet another attempt to distract from the hardships endured by the Cuban people. Hernández, now the national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), announced on Facebook, “After May Day comes May 3rd! Let’s dance casino!” accompanied by an institutional video promoting the event.
The video invitation proclaims, “For fans of good music and popular Cuban dances, on May 3rd at 4 PM, a simultaneous casino dance will take place across the country. Squares, parks, and streets will come alive with the rhythm of the Cuban clave, honoring May 8th, National Day of Son.” It continues, “Get information at your local cultural center or contact the number on screen. Don’t miss the chance to dance casino and make history. Embrace the son, dance casino,” emphasized the announcement.
While appearing cultural and festive, this event is part of a broader strategy by the authorities to project an image of normalcy and collective joy amid collapsing services, prolonged blackouts, widespread shortages, and increasing emigration. The timing of the casino dance, close to the May Day parade, another state-orchestrated event, underscores the regime's attempt to reinforce its narrative of stability through large-scale spectacles.
As the call to dance casino echoes through parks, thousands of Cubans are lining up for basic food supplies, enduring daily power cuts, or seeking ways to leave the country. Although the National Day of Son, celebrated every May 8th, holds undeniable cultural significance, the political use of popular traditions to bolster official propaganda is evident.
Promoting such events as distraction mechanisms is a recurrent practice of the Cuban regime, especially in times of economic and social strain. This is not an isolated occurrence. In 2024, Cuban dancers geared up to break a Guinness World Record in Havana with the largest casino dance circle. During a rehearsal at La Piragua, the project “Embracing the Son,” supported by the Provincial Center of Culture Houses, gathered numerous dancers to attempt creating the world's largest casino dance, aiming to surpass existing records.
Beyond the record attempt, this initiative also served as a platform to bolster the regime’s narrative of national pride and social cohesion, contrasting with the harsh daily reality faced by most Cubans. In 2023, the "Embracing the Son" project also sought to set a world record with around 200 people playing the son clave in Cuba.
Exploring the Cuban Casino Dance Initiative
What is the purpose of the nationwide casino dance event in Cuba?
The event is intended to project a joyful and harmonious image of Cuba, despite the country's ongoing social unrest and economic crisis. It is also used as a political tool to distract from these issues.
Who is promoting the casino dance initiative?
The initiative is being promoted by official Cuban institutions and figures like former spy Gerardo Hernández, who is now a national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution.