Next November 11th Another edition of Dîner en blanc takes place in Havana (Cena de Blanco), a French-inspired event that brings guests together for a sort of huge and “very fancy” picnic. According to the digital website Travel Trade Caribbean, “the exclusive event” is announced on its portal with around 350 guests dressed in whitewhat promises an unforgettable evening under the stars full of beauty and magic.
The event The White Dinners began in 1988 with only dozens of participants.who celebrate the art of living with good manners have become a phenomenon with experience in more than 120 cities from 40 countries around the world, Le Dîner en Blanc “Promotes friendship, elegance and a sense of community,” the release adds.
The idea came from François Pasquier, a French businessman Pensioner who dreamed of dining outdoors with his friends The most beautiful places in Paris. He managed to organize a premiere Picnic in the Bois de Boulogneon the outskirts of the French capital, with instructions dress in white to distinguish participants from simple pedestrians.
But In Habana Nothing is the same as before, although the exact location is still a mystery, as the norm dictates. “Given the peculiarity of the island, in this case Guests do not need to bring tablesFolding chairs or plates, as these are offered for rent. You don’t have to cook either, you can choose from different menuswhich are part of the package offered,” said the announcement of the event in the previous edition.
This year they explain that in order to preserve “the uniqueness of the dinner,” Each participant must meet certain requirements. “The most important one is the dress code: Only in white from head to toe. Elegance and originality are key. And they will be rewarded!” says the above-mentioned digital page.
It also stipulates that during the French-influenced dinner “only the consumption of wine and/or champagne is permitted, products that guests must reserve online through the restaurant.” Le Dîner en Blanc E-Store“.
Travel Trade Caribbean adds that in this edition they wanted to “supplement the central purpose of the meeting” with other activities “that strengthen Cubanness and” Contribute to the repositioning of Cuba as a destination“To this end, the organizers have prepared various activities to keep guests occupied throughout the weekend.
For example, “dinner in the renowned restaurant El Atelier” will welcome visitors, “accompanied by good Cuban music.” “It will happen the next day Le Diner en Blanc, and when it’s over, the party continues. In a disco with a DJ, guests can dance until they drop, share with friends and much more Experience Cuban enjoyment“he specifies.
At the end they also announce a “dinner concert” with the Cuban orchestra Los Van Van, winner of a Grammy Award in 2000.
This is the second edition of this event is celebrated in Havanathe previous one took place in Gardens of the National HotelAlthough it was announced for November 2018, it was finally produced in April 2019.
The event takes place after the month of September alone 151,380 tourists arrived in Cuba, the lowest value so far this year. This number of visitors shows the weak recovery of one of the key sectors of the Cuban regime. The September data It is the worst recorded in 2023, even lower than in June, when 154,590 tourists entered Cuba.
Furthermore, the call comes when the country is experiencing an acute food crisis. For the economist Pedro Monreal“in a ‘socialist’ country with growing poverty and Food insecurity situation “Le Dîner en Blanc” “The next November 11th is nonsense,” commented the expert in a message on the social network, “a madness, a monstrosity, a stupidity, a paradox and an absurdity,” added Monreal.