The teaching process of Casino dance in the China-Cuba cultural exchange

Abstract

The cultural exchange between China and Cuba has enabled the spread of essential elements of Cuban art, particularly the casino, a traditional dance of great significance in Cuban culture. Through this exchange, Chinese students have shown a growing interest in learning this dance, creating the need to adapt the teaching-learning process to an international context. This article aims to present the main theoretical background on the teaching-learning process of Cuban casino, based on research conducted with Chinese students at the China-Cuba Cultural Exchange Center in Beijing. Theoretical methods were used, based on a review of literature on dance pedagogy and its adaptation to international contexts, combining practical and theoretical instruction focused on rhythm, steps, and the culture behind Cuban casino. The pedagogical approach allowed Chinese students to acquire dance skills effectively, maintaining the authenticity of Cuban casino without transforming it into another form of salsa. Additionally, they managed to understand the connection between technique and the rich culture behind this dance. In conclusion, teaching Cuban casino to international students not only facilitates the dissemination of Cuban art but also preserves its cultural authenticity. The combination of theory and practice helped students master the dance while keeping its traditional essence and promoted meaningful cultural exchange.