Granma, Cuba, Oct 10 (Prensa Latina) With the traditional tolling of the bell at the historic La Demajagua sugar mill, the main event on Cuba's Culture Day began in this eastern province on Tuesday.

That symbolic event marks the 155th anniversary of the beginning of the Wars for Independence by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes in 1868.

It followed the handing over of the nation’s flag to the Cultural Column and the launching of the 29th Cuban Identity Festival, scheduled from October 17 to 20 in eastern Granma province, under the motto “All Voices as One.”

Among the events for the day of Cuban Culture are the acknowledgement of the work by young artists, and the tribute to Poet José María Heredia on his 220th birthday.

Although the program takes place every year from October 10 to 20, this year’s proposals are extended until October 28, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the National Ballet of Cuba (BNC) by Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso in 1948.

Each province has designed a varied program that includes all cultural events to highlight the BNC’s anniversary.

Major events will be held within the framework of these dates, which gather representative values of the national history and Cuban culture.