Cienfuegos to host 18th Timbalaye Rumba festival

The 18th edition of the Timbalaye: La Ruta de la Rumba international festival will take place in Cienfuegos, Cuba, from August 21 to 24. This biennial event is dedicated to the concept of 'cimarronaje' as a living memory and a symbol of resistance, dignity, and Afro-descendant identity.

Under the slogan ‘Todos somos cimarrones y rumberos’ (We are all maroons and rumberos), the festival will feature a variety of theoretical, artistic, and community activities. The theme color for this edition is red, representing strength and spirituality. The program includes theoretical panels with specialists alongside musical performances by groups such as Trazos Libres, Obinisa Ashé, Perla del Caribe, and Rumbalay, as well as the spectacle ‘Ará Oko’ by the Conjunto Folclórico de Cienfuegos.

A special tribute to the musician Benny Moré, known as ‘el Bárbaro del Ritmo’, will be held at the Cabildo Congo de Santa Isabel de las Lajas. The event aims to celebrate Cuban identity and maintain the region's deep-rooted rumba traditions through both professional collectives and local community groups.