The celebrations for the Cuban Son Day include tributes to artists, theoretical spaces, record presentations and concerts broadcast online linked to that tradition and popular phenomenon, organizers announced today.

During a press conference at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, maestro Adalberto Alvarez, promoter of the idea and one of the most important defenders of the style in our country, said that May 8, the date established as a tribute to this musical expression, also commemorates the birth of two great figures.

Composer Miguel Matamoros and singer Miguelito Cuní contributed to the transcendence of the son from East to West and, according to Álvarez, the day also remembers the representatives of the 'father of all popular dance music genres in the Caribbean nation'.

    "Classical artists, jazz men, troubadours and even, dance and theater professionals, supported the decision for Son to have its day, because it runs through the veins of Cubans, it is part of our ADN. In this opportunity, each province will have its own autonomy, lines of work and visual identity", he assured.

The pianist and writer also said that the day celebrates the presence of this genre anywhere in the world and predicted the future impact of the event and the arrival of international musicians to the country with the purpose of participating in future editions.

The president of the Cuban Institute of Music Indira Fajardo also acknowledged that the event is dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the birth of Arsenio Rodriguez, the 120th anniversary of the birth of Ñico Saquito, the centenary of the Septeto Habanero and the 75th birthday of guitarist Eliades Ochoa.

    "The communicative campaign is part of the process to declare Cuban son as intangible heritage of humanity, with an impact not only on the institutions and artists who promote and elaborate the file, but also on the identity and heritage of the people," he said.

Deputy Minister of Culture Fernando León Jacomino highlighted the activism and spontaneous summoning of the creators and asserted that  Son is a cosmovision of music and of the present and active life at present.

From May 3 to 8, the following events will take place, among others: the presentation of the album Juramento, an anthology by Trio Matamoros; the premiere of Súmate a mi show, dedicated to La Alianza Musical and the virtual Gala for the 85th Anniversary of Conjunto Soneros Camacho.

Also in session will be the Pio Leyva Online Festival; the broadcasting of the DVD Caminos del Son and the album La Retroguaracha de Ñico Saquito; as well as the daily transmission of the Estamos contigo concerts.

Taken from CUBADEBATE