Happiness of the Peoples of the World: Cuba

In connection with the launch of a joint project of the Eurasian Tourism Security Council and the Department of Happiness of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly “Happiness of the Peoples of the World”, Anastasia Pavlova, Chairman of the Eurasian Tourism Security Council, talks about countries where the happiness of their citizens is a priority for state activity.

Cuba for many has become synonymous with the words "holiday" and "carnival". Every person who has ever been to Cuba or met Cubans notes their incredible cheerfulness and smile. A Cuban will never complain to you. He will simply say one phrase - “resorlver algo”, which means: “I will think of something”.

Cuba is a country of absolutely happy people who always and in any circumstances come up with something. Despite the low income of the average Cuban, 92% of the population lives in their own homes. Sometimes these houses are small, but they are their own.

Ernest Hemingway was the only American who loved Cuba and visited this country often. In fact, he wrote the story "The Old Man and the Sea" and the novel "For Whom the Bell Tolls" while living in Cuba. The novel skillfully depicts picturesque Cuban landscapes, healing air and the mood of Cuban joy.

Cuba is certainly a beautiful, wonderful island. Yes, many people here do not live well, but this does not prevent them from meeting you with a sincere smile and songs. In Cuba there is the cult of music and dance. Everywhere you can hear music performed by street musicians, see theatrical performances in which anyone can take part not only as a spectator, but also as an actor.

The well-known Cuban samba in the world is also a sign of Cuban happiness. Little Cuban children, who still don't walk very well, can already dance very well.

In Cuba there is quality medical care and good social package. But the main thing is the national mood. In Cuba, the national mood is determined not only by beautiful beaches, delicious food and numerous carnivals. Contrary to popular belief that Cubans are lazy and just dance, there is a real cult of work in Cuba. When you see how selflessly they restore their settlements or hotels after another hurricane, there is no trace left of the myth of a permanent holiday that is spread around the world thanks to Ernest Hemingway. Cubans are a very hardworking and educated people.

Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the world (99.8%). However, the Internet is not a permanent pastime for many Cubans. This, of course, has its own reason. In Cuba, the Internet is subject to censorship. It is estimated that only 5-6% of Cubans have access to open, free internet. The rest have access to a censored version controlled by the government.

For a Cuban, the absence of some necessary for us things does not become a reason for despondency and depression, rather the opposite. Cubans manage to make attractive even what in the concept of a European is worse than any rubbish. Cubans are very fond of creating modern art from unnecessary old things - from kitchen utensils to old furniture. Cuba can rightly be called a country of folk installations. Here, each person can become an artist or sculptor and will always find his grateful audience.

In Cuba, it is fashionable and right to be a kind person, and at the state level. One of examples is transportation. Any government vehicle is required to give a lift to hitchhikers or citizens who need to go somewhere for whatever reason. At the same time, the bulk of vehicles in Cuba are from the last 20th century. Cars are sometimes decades older than their owners.

It's always warm in Cuba. This is a country where snow fell for the only time in the history of the state. And it was March 12, 1857.

The Cubans themselves call their island "El Crocodile" because of the similarity of its shape with a crocodile. “The crocodile is a powerful, dangerous animal, and constantly smiling,” - they say in Cuba. Cuba is the only place on the planet where you can see the Cuban crocodile, a giant reptile that is on the verge of extinction. If you ask a Cuban if he is afraid of meeting a crocodile, he will laugh back and say: “Of course not. Cuba is an island of strong and happy crocodiles…”

"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is." 

Ernst Hemingway, "The Old Man and the Sea"