Religion, Santiago de Cuba

Christmas in Cuba this year passed with little more observance than the tiny plastic Xmas tree for me. Some of my Cuban friends did attend church as usual but there was none of the comercialization that we have been accustomed to here in North America and Europe.
However, there is always a shrine to El Cobre, the patron saint of Cuba, in the house. Since the Pope's visit catholicism is practiced more openly and increasing in popularity.
From the picture below you can see it was offered one of my Mayabe beers to secure blessing for the coming year. If you look closely, it's also wearing one of the Canadian pins that I had brought on a previous trip.

People do belive that Virgen del Cobre is saint and do miracles.
Many famous or less famous people (sportsman usually) left their medals, balls, uniforms as a mention to Virgin.