Cultural Exchange Enriches the Celebrations of Puerto Rican Culture

Cultural Exchange Enriches the Celebrations of Puerto Rican Culture

The Instituto Folklórico Cubano Americano presents classical Cuban ballroom dances from the 19th century as part of the union between the two cultures. "Cuba and Puerto Rico are two wings of the same bird," Lola Rodríguez de Tió.

Cultural exchange in Puerto Rican cultural celebrations. Celebrations that commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus on November 19, 1493, and mark the beginning of the Christmas season, are an opportunity to reflect on the indigenous, African, and European roots of Puerto Rican culture.

PUERTO RICO — Instituto Folklórico Cubano Americano announces a series of special cultural exchange presentations entitled “The Genealogy of Classical Cuban Ballroom Dance,” which will take place in the cities of San Juan, Carolina, and Ponce in Puerto Rico, during the week of November 23-30, 2025. Free performances of 19th-century Cuban ballroom dances will be offered at various venues in the cities, open to the general public.

The presentations will be led by the founder of the Instituto Folklórico Cubano Americano Maestro Bobby Ramírez and the Institute's director, Dr. Glenda R. Mujer Esperanza, PhD, who will guide participants through a historical and experiential journey through the contradanza criolla, the habanera, and the danzón—genres that gave rise to classical Cuban ballroom dance. Each performance will combine dance demonstrations, historical explanations, social etiquette of the era, fan use, and 19th-century-inspired costumes, creating an educational and entertaining experience for all ages.

The artistic program includes fragments of emblematic works such as “Los Ojos de Pepa” by composer Manuel Saumell Robredo, considered the “father of the Cuban contradanza”; the contradanza from the zarzuela “Cecilia Valdés” by Gonzalo Roig; the famous habanera “La Paloma” by Sebastián Iradier; and the lyric “La Bella Cubana” by José White.

Also featured will be selections from Ignacio Cervantes' Cuban Dances —including “Zigs-Zags”, “No Bailes Más”, “Los Delirios de Rosita”, “Los Tres Golpes” and “La Camagüeyana” — as well as the historic danzón “Las Alturas de Simpson” by Miguel Faílde and the contemporary danzón “La Reinita de Ritmo Danzón”, composed by Maestro Bobby Ramírez.

These activities are part of the mission of the Instituto Folklórico Cubano Americano, a non-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to preserving, teaching, and celebrating the folklore, music, dance, and traditions of Cuba and the Cuban-American community. Its work promotes intergenerational and intercultural exchange through workshops, performances, lectures, and community projects that keep the Cuban cultural legacy alive.

Maestro Bobby Ramírez is a Cuban-born multi-instrumentalist, composer, conductor, author, and educator, and the founder and president of the Instituto Folklórico Cubano Americano. Through concerts, workshops, and creative projects, Ramírez has distinguished himself by bringing diverse communities closer to Cuban musical heritage, including the revitalization of the danzón in the 21st century.

Dr. Glenda R. Mujer Esperanza, PhD, an arts and culture scholar and graduate of the University of Puerto Rico and Ana G. Méndez University, is a writer, educator, and community advocate. As Director of the Instituto Folklórico Cubano Americano, she designs and coordinates educational programs based on historical research about Cuban and Latin American folklore, identity, and intercultural dialogue.

With these presentations in Ponce, the Instituto Folklórico Cubano Americano seeks to strengthen cultural ties between Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Cuban-American diaspora, offering the Ponce public, students, teachers, dancers and history lovers a unique opportunity to see, hear and feel the elegance and flavor of 19th century Cuban classical ballroom dances in a live, participatory and accessible format.

The specific times and locations for each performance in the city of Ponce will be announced soon through the website www.RitmoDanzon.com and on the official social media accounts of the Cuban American Folkloric Institute and Ritmo Danzón.

For more specific information about the performances in Ponce, Puerto Rico, or to coordinate interviews and press coverage, please contact:

Instituto Folklórico Cubano Americano / Ritmo! Danzón
Telephone: 305-298-2380
Email: info@ritmodanzon.com

Website: www.RitmoDanzon.com
Facebook: facebook.com/ritmodanzon
X (Twitter): x.com/ritmodanzon
YouTube: youtube.com/@ritmodanzon

Danzón Classes
We will teach you to dance danzón and contradanza at your own pace. No previous dance experience required. Learn more!

Dancing to the Cuban danzas of Ignacio Cervantes