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Hundreds of people participated on Tuesday Mass In Havana A few days later to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Celia Cruz Cuba Authorities canceled a theater performance in honor of the revered singer without explanation, leading some to criticize it as an act of censorship.
Activities to remember the renowned Cuban artist – one of the island’s most prominent voices internationally – were held around the world except Cuba, where she never returned after going into exile. United States of America in the 1960s and openly defined himself as a radical anti-Castro activist.
“She was an ambassador to the world of Cuban music, of Cuban rhythms… of our tastes, of our dances, of our joy, of ‘that’ infectious thing,” Father Ariel Suarez said during his homily.
He also recalled the popular cry that identified the singer’s performances: “Azúcar!”
“I thank God because she brought happiness to many people, because she gave Cuba a presence in the world,” the priest told those gathered at the Basilica of La Caridad in a densely populated area of Centro Habana.
an unforgiving government
The priest said the mass was organized by a group of artists Cruz admired.
Attendees included famous artists including singer Hella Maria Mompi and musician Alain Pérez, as well as the United States’ charge d’affaires, Mike Hammer.
“Her songs give hope and joy, but she also wanted freedom for all Cubans, which is what we all want, so it’s a great honor for me to be here today, to remember her life,” Hammer told reporters after the Mass. In which no government official or representative of the Ministry of Culture participated.
Born in Havana on October 21, 1925, Celia Cruz, known as the “Guarachera of Cuba” and the “Queen of Salsa”, built a solid career as a singer on the island before going into exile in 1960 and settling in the United States, where she also became a symbol for a highly politicized community opposing the Cuban Revolution led by the late leader, Fidel Castro.
The artist died in 2003 without ever returning to his homeland, although in 1990 he had exhibited at the US Naval Base at Guantanamo, a US-controlled territory historically claimed by Havana.
During his career, Cruz received little coverage on radio, television or print in Cuba, where authorities never forgave him for his harsh engagement with the exile community and the United States.
an empty chair under the spotlight
In anticipation of his hundredth anniversary, theater group El Público announced a tribute performance Sunday at the prestigious Cuban Art Factory. But hours before the performance, the state-run National Center for Popular Music briefly announced on social media that it would not take place. It did not give any explanation.
There was no immediate response from the Cuban Art Factory. But on Monday, the organization posted a photo on its Facebook account showing an empty chair on stage illuminated by an overhead spotlight, a scene that remained in place for the duration of the canceled performance.
“A work of art that never was, a chair, the art of silence and resistance,” read the post. “Celia lives.”
artist And musicians protested on social media against what they considered an arbitrary act of censorship by the authorities.
A few weeks ago, the Felde Orchestra dedicated a section of a concert to the centenary of Celia Cruz.
For musician Rosa Marquetti, the prohibition of the tribute is a “chapter” of “censorship and the application of political curatorial methods within Cuban culture”, she wrote on Facebook.
“They have spent 60 years trying – without success – to blur one of the most extraordinary trajectories of life in the cultural sphere in defense of an identity with an unwavering sense of belonging.”
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