The Timbalaye International Cuban Rumba Meeting is a project created and promoted by Cuban folk dancers Ulises Mora and Irma Castillo, from the Aché Cultural Association. The meeting’s Organizing Committee includes musicologist Cary Diez, among others.

The event focuses on rumba, although numerous artistic expressions such as dance, poetry, literature, theater, photography, film, and others are also present throughout the event. It showcases the strength and relevance of Cuban popular traditions.

The third edition of the Timbalaye International Cuban Rumba Festival was held in early September 2011. It was dedicated to the memory of Fernando Ortiz, the pioneer of research into the formation of Cuban nationality based on African roots. The main venues were Havana and Matanzas.

That day saw the First Colloquium “La Rumba: Culture and Identity,” which covered, among other topics, “La Rumba and the Construction of the Nation,” “La Rumba and its Influence Outside of Cuba,” and “La Rumba, Literature, and the Visual Arts.” These were presented by prominent Cuban specialists and personalities such as Miguel Barnet, who was the guest of honor; Ulises Mora and Irma Castillo, creators of the “Timbalaye” Project; Gregorio Hernández (Goyo); José A. Matos; and María Teresa Linares.

Among other activities that took place at the 2011 International Timbalaye Cuban Rumba Festival, we can highlight the presentation of Fernando Ortiz’s collection of musical instruments, exhibited at the Casa de África by Dr. María Teresa Linares.

At this third international rumba gathering, Miguel Barnet was awarded the Pagugú, or Eggun Staff, used in the Afro-Cuban religion, in Trillo Park. Groups such as Los Nani and Los Eleguasitos attended. Delegates from Italy, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Uruguay, Mexico, and Venezuela also attended.