Damascus - Terrorist bands from the Islamic State (IS) destroyed the famous Monumental Arch in the Syrian city of Palmyra, an architectural jewel of the third century, confirmed today the Director General of Antiquities and Museums, Maamoun Abdulkarim.

The arch was one of the most valuable works this historic city treasured, located 223 kilometers northeast of the capital, and declared a World Heritage Site in 1980 by Unesco.

San Antonio de los Baños, Artemisa, Cuba - This town developed the Popular Craft Fair during the  ariguanabense culture week , located in the José Martí park all day.

The space shows works of Ariguanabo popular artisans. They show rubberized wire, glass and mixed techniques and deal with issues like love, childhood, flora and fauna.

Havana, Cuba - Cuba’s Lizt Alfonso Dance Company will make on Thursday a second presentation at the auditorium of the Tijuana Cultural Center (Cecut) in Baja California, a tour that will end in Mexicali, the capital of this Mexican state, on October 2.

Last night, the company received applauses, cheers and standing ovations during its presentation at the Cecut, with more than 700 attendees, which was reflected by the local press on Wednesday, the Cubasi Web site reported.

 Artemisa, Cuba.- The Culture House Raymundo Valenzuela in our town awarded  Nora Lloro Traditions Festival, in its ninth edition.

The jury composed of members of the Craft Artists Cuban Association  awarded the works ´´Resistance´´ by Adonis Marquetti, ´´Tiro de Gracia´´ by Idalberto La O, in dolls the work of Elaine Othon and in weaving  the artisan Belkis Garcia.

As in each contest, the cultural center summons to the event that takes place in the Ariguanabense Culture  Week and this time 53 works participated.

Bogota - Cuban singer-songwriter, Pablo Milanes, founder of the Nueva Trova Movement, will perform today in Colombia to pay tribute to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, during the festival dedicated to the famous writer, coordinators confirmed.

Havana - Casa de Las Americas prepares today the Third Symposium of Latino Presence in the United States that will be held from October 13 to 15, with representatives from six countries.

According to the cultural institution, during those days more than 40 social researchers, critics, writers, and cultural analysts will meet in this capital,coming from Colombia, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico and the host country.