This is what the Salvadorian singer-songwriter Álvaro Torres said during a press conference at Hotel Encanto La Unión regarding his two concerts in Cienfuegos city. He said he was really excited to be here and "being in Cienfuegos is like putting another medal to my lapel". These were his words during the press conference at Hotel Encanto La Unión regarding the two concerts he offered on Sunday at the 5 de Septiembre Stadium.
He is very known by themes like Sencilla y bella, Chiquita mía, Mal acostumbrado, Te va a doler, Yo te seguiré queriendo....He also said it was really a pleasure to visit the Pearl of the South. This concert enriches my spirit as singer-songwriter and my cultural wealth because I had the unique opportunity to know more about the history of this city, where I discovered a great hospitality towards my own country. I feel like being at home, and that´s because you allow that to happen, due to your affection and the warm welcoming", said this singer who is also Good Will Ambassador in a Special Mission for Immigrant Children.
I had no idea of how my music had been received in Cienfuegos, and this is my greatest reward, the greatest thing that could ever happen to any singer-songwriter like me. So I thank you in advance for such affection and for making me feel like home". He is a very cheerful, affable person. This was the opinion of the people from Cienfuegos. He was welcomed outside the City Hall at the José Martí square placed at the city´s old quarter, declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 2005.
He has been always a romantic person, born to one of the corners of La Praviana, in San Salvador. He recognizes he gives love an excessive dimension. "I´m a very romantic person, sometimes I even exaggerate. I pay too much attention to a look, an attitude, a smile, to life details, and especially the opposite sex, which has made me kneel (...) that has been my work, and it has been essential for me, it comes with my DNA".
Álvaro Torres deja sus impresiones en el libro de visitantes del Hotel La Unión, de Cienfuegos./ Foto: Jany Enseñat.
What does it mean to you giving these two concerts in the same land of important orchestras and musicians like Benny Moré and the Aragón Orchestra?
First of all, it is a great pleasure, an honor, that many international artist would like to have. I had this privilege, of being the first. I have been opened the doors of this island to sing love songs. Being here in Cienfuegos is not only a way to fill my spirit but to carry out an utopia. Despite not knowing this country directly I always knew about the predilection for my work since a few decades ago (...) I thought I could not be able to see my dream come true. I really mean this. Thank you for giving me this possibility and honor, but especially because of the attention and affection I have received here. It is just unbelievable!
Some media have spoken about the intention of the government from El Salvador of appointing you as Good Will Ambassador in Spacial Mission for Immigrant Children. What has been your commitment after such appointing?
The government of El Salvador offered me that invitation and I accepted it because I´m very involved in themes related to humanitarian aid. I have participated with World Vision and other charitable and helping foundations (...) The fact that the chancellery and the government of my country counts on me for such an special and thorny matter as children migrations. This is a great responsibility I want to completely fulfil. We don´t want it to exist but it does (...) The government to avoid these situations started this campaign, appointing me as the project´s good will ambassador.
"This is what I always wanted, to collaborate with humankind, especially with children. We try to be the voice of this campaign called "Don´t put their lifes in danger". This is a massage for the parents living in the USA who are desperate and anxious to have their children with them and sometimes put their children in unscrupulously hands, people with no ethical values and put their lives in danger".
In Cuba, like in other places of the world young people follow more moved musical trends, less romantic, far from what you make. How important is the fact that there are still some young persons that prefer romantic songs?
"The new generation is very enthusiastic with these musical trends which at the and say the same I expressed a few decades ago (...) I was gentle and went slow, step by step. Young persons avoid many steps and life phases and go directly to what they want. This is how their live. I would be very nice if romantiscism is not lost at all (...) I know it won´t be lost! Because I know that those young persons, sooner or later, when love knocks at their doors will seek for songs like these, composed by me or any other romantic singer-songwriter".
-Despite the current trends there some musicians in Cuba that devote their work to create ballads.
"That is very good. You see, there is no formula in music. I have been searching for it since many decades ago and I still can not find it. My advice to those that begin their careers in this kind of music is that they should be authentic. I have been authentic. I was a romantic person since I was a child. I feel satisfied with all the achievements I have reached and I think that there will be always an audience for ballads and romantic songs.
"It is so, that I show off with one of my songs: Chiquita mía, which was not as broadcasted as it was here in Cuba. Here I learned that this song is very used during the parties to celebrate the 15th anniversary of any female teenager. On Youtube there are many videos of parents showing their "chiquitas" and we can listen to the background song. It is not only a tribute to the "chiquitas", the female teenager, but a tribute to me as well".
-You work in Miami´s musical world. How do you manage to insert in such a market?
"It is like in any other part of the world. My songs do not change, they have the same effect here in Cienfuegos, in El Salvador, in New York. Regarding the market, it is very different because the music industry is agonizing. "On the other hand, the social networks although the harm the music industry, sometimes they are helpful for us because we can freely show our work, at our pace, without the demanding of any record company that keeps all the revenues. I do not compete anymore, I maintain my work and I think I have achieved a lot".
-Any immediate project?
The first thing is to fully conquer my own country. To be a prophet in my own land, because I have to admit that distance - not voluntary but due to a necessity - caused me to be apart from my country, I lost the contact with my people. Now, due to an idea by José Luis Castro, we have returned and the people have welcomed us. This is amazing. Sometimes I thought I was going to be rejected but it was just the opposite.
"We are doing some tours to Chile, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras. We keep on doing some concerts in the rest of the world, so we are active the whole year".
With more than 40 discs during his whole musical career, Álvaro Torres said he will continue to sing to love and coolness, two feelings that have inspired him to compose some of the greatest romantic themes in Spanish. This time he was accompanied by his son Astor Torres and Cuban musicians like his general director, the guitar player, the bass players and the choir.
A few moments before leaving the Encanto La Unión Hotel he repeated his gratitude for the invitation to come here and called the local audience to join him at the concerts. "We will have a special moment. we will have everything". I have been blessed to make love songs and describe couples, love, feelings this human relation that is so important and that should not die. We will travel to those emotional status.
I also appreciate the effort of the local government and culture officials and to PMM to offer their technology. "Thank you very much for this great opportunity. I has been a special gift for me", said after signing the visitor´s book at the hotel and greeting the local population, which was waiting for him at the outside and give a warm welcoming to him.
(Taken from 5 de Septiembre)
Translated by: Osmany Ortiz González (Azurina)