Traditional Celebrations in Guayos Canceled: Community Uproar Erupts

Residents of Guayos, located in the Sancti Spíritus province of central Cuba, have taken to the streets in protest following the abrupt suspension of their cherished traditional celebrations. The decision, announced just three days before the event, has sparked widespread frustration among the community.

Social media is buzzing with comments reflecting the local populace's anger and disappointment over the cancellation of one of the region's most significant cultural events. Many residents view the decision as unjust and lament the loss of this annual festivity.

The cultural page Nos Vamos de Parrandas, which focuses on promoting Cuban popular festivals, conveyed the news of the suspension with "deep sadness," noting that the Parrandas de Guayos have been postponed indefinitely. This year was particularly special, marking the centenary of the celebration.

The organizers expressed in their statement, "We are aware that this grand festival is the result of tireless work by neighborhood groups throughout the year; hence, this second postponement is even more painful."

Although a new date has not been set, the team remains hopeful that "the situation will soon be resolved, allowing Guayos to fully celebrate these events, honoring their historical significance."

Social media platforms erupted with immediate reactions to the suspension. A brief yet poignant message on the Guayos Facebook page captured the community's outrage: "Parrandas of Guayos Canceled."

The post ended with a powerful expression that encapsulated the sentiment of many locals: "Death to the tradition."

In the wake of the announcement, several online voices called for action. Tania Castro urged the community and neighborhood groups to unite in defense of their tradition: "Unite, Guayos residents and parade groups, and demand your parrandas."

Similarly, Olimpia Pérez emphasized the need to respect the efforts of the locals: "Finish organizing the parrandas and don’t delay this beautiful moment any longer; the conditions are set, and the people deserve it."

José Luis Guerra voiced a more forceful opinion, insisting the celebration proceed "without relying on the communists," while Yadira Marín emphasized that the date should not be postponed again: "We all want the parade on the 8th. There is a lot of hard work and sacrifice from both neighborhoods, it should be a fair celebration for the people to enjoy."

The suspension of the Parrandas de Guayos is particularly upsetting this year, as 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of this uninterrupted celebration, according to the Cuba Portal.

Recognized as a National Cultural Heritage in 2013 and declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2018, these parrandas are a cornerstone of Cuban popular culture.

Annually held in November, Guayos—a town in the municipality of Cabaiguán, Sancti Spíritus—hosts this grand event where the neighborhoods La Loma (red, represented by a goat) and Cantarrana (green, represented by a frog) engage in friendly competition with floats, congas, fireworks, and parades that attract thousands from across Cuba.

This centennial celebration was intended to be a unique edition, the culmination of a year's worth of work, workshops, and activities aimed at preserving this century-old tradition.

The sudden cancellation, announced only days before the event, has left the people of Guayos feeling not only frustrated but also robbed of a vital aspect of their cultural identity and local pride.