Photos by NikePhoto Feature by NikeHAVANA TIMES – Since as far back as 1879, the people of Cojímar have celebrated the fiesta of their patron saint, the Virgin of Carmen. The procession of the Virgin of Carmen, Star of the Sea and patron saint of sailors, thus coincides with the celebration of the founding of this small fishing village. She shared with me her childhood memories of going to church with the entire town and then following the Virgin to El Cachón beach. A group of parishioners would place the statue of the Virgin in a boat and take her on a procession around the small bay. She felt the Virgin looked at her and greeted her before disappearing into the dim interior of the village’s small church.