Even those of us who haven't been to Havana, Cuba have heard stories of the crumbling city; glorious examples of Colonial, Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture that can no longer stand the tests of time. Fortunately, Old Havana's potential has been realized and UNESCO designated it a World Heritage site in 1982, but restoration efforts are slow and are often mired in deep political battles.

This Friday at 7PM the ROM presents, as part of its ROMlife series, a lecture entitled "The Astounding Architecture and Urban Design of Havana, Then and Now: History, Heritage and Challenges". Harvard University professor Leland Cott, chief architect for the restoration of Hemmingway's Cuban jungle homestead, will explore the legacy of Cuban architecture beginning over 450 years ago. Influences are far-reaching, Spanish, Caribbean, American and even Soviet styles converge, making Havana a multicultural melee even a Torontonian could appreciate.

(image: danilosiqueira)