Thanks to BACARDI and their Women in Leadership Initiative partnership with Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays) Inc. is they have reopened its newly renovated Welcome Center on Friday, April, 16th. In celebration of this monumental occasion, they kicked off the “Spirit of Little Havana” self-guided tour for all to enjoy that will start from 5th Avenue to 22nd Avenue on Calle Ocho.
This partnership came at a prime time because the vibrant Calle Ocho community is finally recovering from the closures of the Covid-19 pandemic. This initiative will hopefully attract even more people to come and support the local businesses.
For over 20 years, Viernes Culturales Inc has been at work to preserve and celebrate Latin history and culture. The new Welcome Center will allow the non-profit to continue its efforts and welcome new crowds to experience all that Little Havana has to offer thanks to Bacardi.
“Our Cultural Fridays (Viernes Culturales) festival will finally return in May. We couldn’t think of a better way to pay tribute to the neighborhood than with the reopening of the much-needed Little Havana Welcome Center, and the newly created self-guided tour that will bring new traffic and business to the area at this very crucial time,” commented Bill Fuller, President of the Viernes Culturales organization.
Due to a lack of funding, The Little Havana Welcome Center was closed for many years. Thankfully Bacardi donated the necessary funds, and this project became a reality. The Welcome Center will feature the history of BACARDI and how it became the most popular rum. Guests will be greeted by a mural adaptation of “La Rumbera,” an iconic Bacardi ad used in the early 1940s to promote Cuba and the delicious rum to tourists. Local artist, Alejandra Estefania, made the mural.
“For Bacardi, joining forces with Viernes Culturales is a way to honor our Cuban roots and the Miami community that has always welcomed us,” says Eddie Cutillas, Senior Director of Bacardi’s Community Affairs. “With the Bacardi sponsored Welcome Center at the iconic Calle Ocho, we hope to share our story– which is the story of many– in starting over in a new land, preserving, and protecting your family heritage. As a family-owned business for seven generations, Bacardi is proud of its legacy to give back to local communities.”
Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays, Inc. is a non-profit organization responsible for the popular Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays art, music, and culture festival. These events are held on the 3rd Friday of every month in the heart of Little Havana, on Calle Ocho between 13th and 17th Avenues, from 4-11 pm. Viernes Culturales first took place on May 26, 2000, where about 2,000 people were in attendance. Now it has grown internationally and even attracts many artists and celebrities.
Bacardi USA, Inc.
Bacardi USA, Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of family-owned Bacardi Limited. It is the largest privately held spirits company, selling some of the most popular spirits brands in the United States. These include BACARDI® rum, GREY GOOSE® vodka, PATRÓN® tequila, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch Whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, MARTINI vermouth, and sparkling wines. The company was founded in 1862 in Santiago de Cuba. Today, they have over 7,000 employees in 11 different countries, with products reaching over 170 countries.
For more information on Bacardi, please visit their website, or follow them on Instagram. To keep up with events put together by Viernes Culturales, be sure to check out their website, and follow their Instagram as well.
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