During the week of September 29 to October 5, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cuba promoted the Orange Mode initiative, a week dedicated to celebrating creativity, entrepreneurship and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
For several days, different spaces in Havana hosted workshops, exhibitions, screenings and public activities aligned with the agenda of the Netherlands in Cuba, recognizing the economic value of creativity and culture as engines of sustainable development.
Workshops, networking sessions and dramatized readings were held, Ellas Hablan — talks by women entrepreneurs — and in closing, our Havana Critical Mass, followed by a reception with the screening of the Dutch documentary Together We Cycle.
Critical Mass in Orange Mode.
The Embassy of the Netherlands facilitated the participation of people who did not have bicycles, generously providing more than 70 bicycles from Ha’Bici and Velocuba to make them available to the public free of charge.
The Dutch team was very creative in producing a video calling for participation and it was very effective. With simplicity and friendliness, Ambassador Matthijs Wolters and diplomats Nadia Verwaal, Nicolien van Eijsden and Nico van Dijk were able to connect with people and encourage massive participation.
These images are a small sample of how getting around by bicycle is an immersive way to experience Havana.
The bicycle tour.
The tour began at the Parque de los Mártires, the usual starting point of the Critical Mass. From there, we advanced along Malecón Avenue, Paseo del Prado, Reina Street, Carlos III and Infanta Avenues, to then go into Vedado, return to the Malecón in the opposite direction and finish at La Mansión Castillo.
It is estimated that around 150 people participated in the tour, being the largest critical mass in the last 5 years.
Although the day dawned rainy, the color orange predominated in our clothes and accessories, symbolizing the presence of the Netherlands 🇳🇱 and celebrating the bicycle as an essential element of their culture – and of our community.
Feel free to keep the photos as a souvenir.
Memorable closing.
After the ride, we enjoyed a reception with beer, wine, cheese and other Dutch snacks. The cycling community was happy: it was a gesture of recognition and gratitude to those of us who promote urban cycling in Havana.
During the evening, the documentary Together We Cycle was screened, and the space became a moment of conviviality and networking among cyclists, diplomats and creative entrepreneurs.
In Citykleta we are very happy and proud to have assumed the responsibility of closing the Orange Mode Week together with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cuba.
Thank you very much for riding with us!
