Alexis Vázquez, vice president of the Cuban Music Institute, stated that the Ministry of Culture and his institution decided to organize this event that has been so well-received in the past.

The festival – set for the first two weeks in November, traditionally a low-season month in terms of tourism – "will increase the flow of visitors" to this, Cuba’s principal tourist resort, reports the DPA agency.

"At the end of February or beginning of March, we will officially publish the national and international line-up for the event, although we have already sent information on the festival to certain friends abroad," Vázquez said.

This international festival, initiated in the late 1960s and celebrated annually until 1986, has seen performances by Elena Burke, Omara Portuondo, Farah María, Alfredo Rodríguez, Orquesta Aragón and Los Van Van.

International performers who have taken part include Luis Gardey, Massiel, and groups such as Los Bravos and Los Mustang, all exponents of the so-called "exceptional decade" of Ibero-American music.