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Dedicated to Africa and its Diaspora, Cubadisco 2008 has just come to an end, and yet already we are making plans for Cubadisco 2009, scheduled to take place from 16 to 24 May, 2009 with guests of honour Puerto Rico and the Music from the South—the music that represents the identities and legacies of countries that are usually ignored by the media and the record industry. The event’s central theme will be the relationship between music and children.
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The participation of young Cuban musicians with their tempting, defiant, and renovating music has been a distinguishing feature that becomes quite evident when we read the list of prize-winners, which includes, among others: X AlfonsoFusion, Studio Recording and Music Video), Harold López-NussaFirst Work), Alejandro VargasJazz), OgguereHip Hop, Rap, Reggaeton), HailaDance/Pop), Elito RevéDance Pop Music), Buena FeMultimedia)… And this is just a sample of the many young Cuban musicians who seekand find) a space within the Cuban cultural scene with quality products. Cubadisco Honour Awards were presented during the closing concert to poetess Nancy Morejón2001 National Award Winner for Literature), Miguel Barnet1994 National Award Winner for Literature) and the Nicolás Guillén Foundation, chaired by Nicolás Hernández Guillén. The concert, held at the Amadeo Roldán Theatre, was characterized by the premiere of a number of compositions by Cuban musicians, showing that pre-established limits between highbrow and popular culture become obsolete when the music is good. Cubadisco radiated, burst, brimmed over with new energies as a result of the contact with the music from Africa, a continent which is so near—and dear—to Cuba. Under the title “As a river of permanently renovated waters”, representatives from different African countries together with musicologists, researchers, writers, musicians and other experts from Cuba and abroad discussed the imprint left by the peoples of Africa and its Diaspora in world culture, and the relations between poetry and music during the Cubadisco 2008 International Symposium. The intensive academic program included the discussion of papers, lectures, debates, film showings, as well as special presentations by African researchers and musicians. Topics such as “Africa and its Diaspora; Oral, literary and musical traditions; The African influence in traditional popular festivities,” “The music industry and African oral literature,” “The living cultural heritage and the role of women in the African-American Cultural Identity” were all discussed during the enriching meetings. Lecturers and speakers were backed during the sessions of the Symposium by music, dance and poetry, as the majority of the participants from every country came to the fair accompanied by musicians who brought with them their own traditional musical instruments. The links between these artistic manifestations of different origins gave proof of the weight the African legacy carries and how much there is still to be learned from it. The performance of the Folkloric Ballet of Alexandria was one of the most eagerly anticipated events during Cubadisco 2008. The famous Egyptian company presented “From East to West” at the Mella Theatre on the last day of the festival to a packed theatre. For the privileged audience—including many Cuban dancers and choreographers—who attended the special performance that evening, it was a memorable experience. The company captivated with their millenary culture, which has stood the test of time and has left an imprint on civilizations. Another happening that will be long remembered was the concert performed by Cameroon-born musician Justin Tchatchoua with the accompaniment of other Cuban and international musicians at the Astral Theatre. Lively, amazing, musically complex, novel, imaginative are some of the adjectives that appropriately describe this dynamic, Africa-charged concert. Another highlight during Cubadisco 2008 was the parade of congas and comparsas down 23rd Street of Havana’s El Vedado district to the Tribuna Antiimperialista, which was also the site of two spectacular concerts by Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco from Cuba and Andy Montañez from Puerto Rico, while on the last night of Cubadisco, Juan Formell and Los Van Van gave a super concert under a night sky glowing with fireworks. With Cubadisco 2008 still fresh in our minds, we look forward to next year’s event hoping that it will be as successful as this year’s festival of the Cuban recording industry. So, three cheers for Cubadisco 2009! And three cheers for Puerto Rico! |
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