The ongoing restoration and refurbishment of the Historic Center Amphitheater in Havana is making progress in preparation for its 90th-anniversary celebration, as reported by CMBF Radio Musical Nacional.
The commemorative events are set to take place from May 16 to 20, marking the opening of the venue on Avenida del Puerto in 1936. At its inception, the amphitheater's design was considered groundbreaking for its time and setting in Old Havana, according to sources.
The amphitheater was first opened on May 20, 1936, with a concert by Havana's Municipal Band under the direction of maestro Guillermo Tomás. Designed by Cuban architects Eugenio Batista González de Mendoza and Aquiles Maza, it was inspired by Greek and Roman theaters and could accommodate about 1,700 spectators.
Renowned artists such as Argentine poet Berta Síngerman, Russian soprano Mariana de Gonich, and Havana Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Amadeo Roldán, a Paris-born composer and violinist, graced its stage during its early decades.
The scheduled celebration includes workshops, lectures, community-focused activities for children, and a special gala night, as detailed by CMBF. On Tuesday, May 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., a cultural management, marketing, and artistic direction workshop is planned at the Multipurpose Hall of the former Segundo Cabo Palace in Plaza de Armas. This event is part of the international cooperation project "Promoting Culture as a Tool for Social Transformation," aimed at cultural managers, communicators, students, and community development enthusiasts.
While resources are allocated to revive this cultural landmark, Old Havana and Central Havana continue to crumble with hundreds of annual building collapses and a nationwide housing deficit exceeding 800,000 units.
In 2025, at least six people lost their lives in Havana due to building collapses, including a seven-year-old girl in Old Havana and a mother with her child on Compostela Street, also in the historic district.
That year, Cuba managed to complete just 22% of its annual housing construction plan, finishing 2,382 out of the planned 10,795 units, as the structural decay of Havana's buildings reached alarming levels, based on recent reports.
The transfer of financial control from the Office of the Historian of Havana to the military conglomerate GAESA in 2025 worsened the situation. Experts note that the revenue from heritage tourism, previously used for urban rehabilitation, was redirected, thus limiting the economic autonomy of the institution traditionally responsible for preserving Havana's heritage.
In February 2026, a young woman was found dead in a collapsing building on Sol Street in Old Havana, and a staircase of a multifamily building in the capital collapsed just days earlier, reflecting a city, as Cubans themselves assert, slowly dying due to the regime's inaction and prioritization of propaganda over genuine public needs.
Key Questions About Havana's Historic Center Restoration
What is the significance of the Havana Historic Center Amphitheater?
The amphitheater, opened in 1936, was a landmark in architectural design for its time and is a key cultural venue in Old Havana.
How is the restoration being funded amidst Havana's decay?
Restoration efforts are funded by initiatives like the "Promoting Culture as a Tool for Social Transformation" project, despite the economic redirection following the financial transfer to GAESA.
What challenges does Havana face in terms of housing?
Havana is grappling with a severe housing shortage, with a national deficit exceeding 800,000 units and numerous building collapses annually.