There’s something missing here.
Clear walls, unblemished roadsides, empty facades. No, it’s not graffiti that’s missing: it’s advertising.
Advertising across television, radio and print is still banned here in Cuba. The impact of this is subtle, but intrinsic to the experience of Havana. For visitors, it makes everyday navigation and decision-making a challenge. If you’re used to basing your purchase decisions on serendipitous encounters with brand messaging, you’ll find yourself stumped in Havana.
For locals, advertising has simply creeped into other avenues: word of mouth is king. Everyone knows someone who knows someone who knows someone in Havana, and this extensive network of reciprocity is what keeps the culture ticking.
