What are Parrandas in Cuba? A journey to Remedios, home of the country's best fireworks festivals.
Cuba is a country full of traditions, and within them are the famous Parrandas Remedianas, the Parrandas are popular festivals celebrated every year on the date the city was founded.
The city of Remedios is in Villa Clara Province, right in the center of the island, and was the 8th Villa founded by the Spanish after the colonization process of the Island; this city has already been founded for more than 550 years, and the Parrandas or popular festivals have an immense tradition, as they have been celebrated for more than 400 years
The fun part of the Parrandas Remedianas comes when it is time for the fireworks; months of preparation of the fireworks arsenal are needed in advance, the city is divided into 2 neighborhoods, San Salvador and El Carmen, whose neighborhoods face off in a fireworks battle, and the winner will be the one that provides the greatest spectacle to the audience and has the most coordination and preparation. The fireworks last all night, since each neighborhood has the task of providing a show every 1 hour, alternating between them to offer a whole night of fireworks from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am the next day.
What the population and visitors like most is the constant interaction with and closeness to the fireworks, since the gunpowder and explosives arsenals surround the city park that divides the 2 neighborhoods, and people are very close to the fireworks. Visitors and people seek this closeness to feel adrenaline, to seek a better spectacle, and to dance and feel the intensity of a cloud of burnt gunpowder and fireworks. Others prefer, during the parranda, to move away from the fireworks and enjoy the fairs and the gastronomy of the area, as well as the Parrandas-themed commerce, and share moments with friends and the floats.
🔥 Facts you didn't know
Did you know that these explosives and fireworks are made with white phosphorus, and this is so reactive that it must be stored under water in its pure state so it does not spontaneously ignite?
👇In our Science section, we explain how elemental phosphorus is obtained at an industrial level 👇
1️⃣ Raw material: It starts from phosphate rock (calcium phosphate, Ca₃(PO₄)₂), silica (SiO₂), and coke (carbon) as a reducing agent
2️⃣ Furnace charging: The mixture is fed into a submerged electric arc furnace, operating at temperatures of 1400-1500°C
3️⃣ Reduction reaction: At that temperature, the overall reaction occurs:
2Ca₃(PO₄)₂ + 6SiO₂ + 10C → P₄ + 6CaSiO₃ + 10CO
4️⃣ Formation of phosphorus vapor: Phosphorus is released as P₄ vapor along with carbon monoxide (CO), while silica forms liquid slag of calcium silicate (CaSiO₃)
5️⃣ Condensation: The exit gases are cooled abruptly in water condensation towers, condensing the phosphorus as a liquid under water (avoiding its spontaneous ignition)
6️⃣ Purification: The liquid phosphorus is filtered to remove solid impurities, obtaining industrial-grade white phosphorus (P4), ready to produce phosphoric acid or red phosphorus
💣 BOMBSHELL FACT:
White phosphorus self-ignites on contact with air at only 30°C — that is why it is transported and stored permanently submerged in water. Ironically, this element, so dangerous, is essential for life: it is part of DNA, ATP (cellular energy), and your bones and teeth.