The first edition of an electroacoustic music festival was held in 1981, thanks to the efforts of prominent Cuban musician Juan Blanco. It is a festival dedicated to musical creation using electroacoustic media. Initially, it was called “Primavera en Varadero.” This beautiful beach hosted this artistic gathering until 1993, showcasing the latest in the field of electronics and computer science applied to music.

Prestigious composers and technologists such as Jon Appelton, Max Mathew, Leo Kupper, Ahmed Malek, Nicola Sani, Lejaren Hiller, Manuel Enríquez, Ricardo Dal Farra, and Andrew Schloss attended “Primavera en Varadero.” As an exception, in 1983, the festival was dedicated to presenting the “Cuba-Mexico Electroacoustic Music Meeting,” which took place at the Captains-General Museum in Old Havana.

In 1998, its headquarters moved to the Historic Center of Havana and the festival was renamed “Spring in Havana.” Performances have taken place at the Cuban Art Building of the Museum of Fine Arts (Trocadero Street between Zulueta and Monserrate Streets, Old Havana, Havana), the House of Obrapía (Obrapía No. 158, Old Havana, Havana), the Museum of Music (Obrapía No. 512, Old Havana, Havana), and the Concert Hall of the Minor Basilica of the Convent of San Francisco de Asís (Oficios between Amargura and Churruca Streets, Old Havana, Havana), among other venues.

Thanks to the wealth of Cuban electroacoustic music creation and this festival, Cuba was selected in 2001 as the host and organizer of the “27th International Conference on Computer Music,” sponsored annually by the International Computer Music Association (ICMA) and inviting participation by composers, performers, and experts in the field of computer music from around the world.

Beginning in 2006, the festival added a series of films whose soundtracks have featured electroacoustic music. Cuban films were prominent in this film showcase.

The “Primavera en La Habana” Festival has fostered the growing exchange of Cuban electroacoustic music beyond its borders. It has earned a place at the most important international events held in Cuba, in addition to opening the door to Cuban creators and specialists’ access to international music and technological information.