With the executive production of "Empresa de Grabaciones y Ediciones Musicales (Egrem)", the documentary José Loyola. Con la charanga en la sangre, dedicated to this notable exponent of Cuban music, founder of the Charanga de Oro, who was born in Cienfuegos on February 12, 1941 and celebrates its 80th birthday today.

Bárbaro Cabezas García, director and assistant director of the audiovisual, said that in 2018 the idea of filming it arose to leave a record of Loyola's legacy to the Cuban sound panorama and cultural imaginary, from his contributions to the flute, to the classic format of the charangas, as well as to concert or academic music.

                                                                                  

                                              José Loyola. /Fotos: Cortesía de Bárbaro Cabezas

Through Egrem we gained access to the artist's whole story and conditions are already being prepared for its upcoming premiere in Havana, and then in Cienfuegos. The documentary is directed by another Cienfuegos native, Alberto Padrón, and features music by Kiki Corona," he added.

This week the filmmakers were putting the final touches to the work, which was produced under unusual circumstances. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the team to keep in touch and work on some video cuts through social networks, with the same seriousness even though it took much more time.

Cabezas García stated that this film product connects with Las huellas de un charanguero, a previous audiovisual that delves into the life and artistic career of Efraín Loyola, one of the architects of the distinguished Orquesta Aragón and father of José Loyola.

"The intention of the record company -he said- is not only to make it a piece of historical and patrimonial value for the new generations; it also values the possibility of commercializing it in Cuba and abroad due to the interest aroused by the figure to whom it is dedicated, a reference for great flutists of the country such as José Luis Cortés, Orlando "Maraca" Valle and René Herrera".

After eight decades of life, José Loyola transcends as one of the most important musicians of the island. He was the creator and president of the Boleros de Oro International Festival, professor at the Instituto Superior de Arte (Isa), and is one of the few doctors in Music Theory in the nation.

(Taken from 5 de Septiembre

Cienfuegos will be strengthened by the implementation of the local development project "Ruta Jagua", which will connect the city, a World Cultural Heritage Site, with the Fortress of Our Lady of the Angels of Jagua and the network of adjacent communities.

With the support of the United Nations Population Fund, UNDP, and with the participation of the French Agency for Development, as well as local authorities, the project under development aims to link the communities  Jagua Castle and El Perché with the center of the city of Cienfuegos.

    According to Marisol Otero Álvarez, director of the Fortress of Our Lady of the Angels of Jagua, National Monument, by turning this itinerary into a tourist product for nationals and foreigners, the idea confers an important value of use to both the tangible and intangible heritage treasured by this part of the geography in south-central Cuba.

In addition to the above and guided visits to one of Cuba's 18th-century military fortifications, the Jagua Route includes a visit to the nearby fishing community of El Perché.

Marisol explained that ten fishing families have been selected in that village. The purpose of the project is to visit their homes, to be present when they work in their fishing gear, in their boats; to learn how they prepare the meals that are typical of this place, she said.

Another option is the Jagua Fortifications trail. Historically, the defense of Jagua Bay not only included the fortress but also other cannon batteries, located in strategic sites studied by Engineer Joseph Tantete (builder of the military enclave in 1745) since his arrival in the area.

There is a trail that leads to Punta Sabanilla. Currently there is the Carbonell Battery, composed of two howitzers and all the factory work that is in perfect condition. In addition, the Pasacaballos Battery, said Marisol.

This route is an old desire, as it is part of a site of historical and cultural significance, such as the Jagua Castle, the only fortification of its kind that remains in the five provinces of the center of the island.

During the 17th century, that fortress stopped filibusters like Francis Drake, Jacques de Sores, Lorenzo Graff and others no less feared in the waters of the Caribbean; and in 1762, it occupied an important place in the history of Cuba, when it served as the headquarters of the Spanish military command in the face of the very brief English occupation.

More than two centuries after that event, the Fortress Museum Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Jagua was inaugurated there, a cultural institution in whose eight rooms visitors can learn about the socio-economic background and the historical-constructive development that led to the origin of the building.

In addition, objects related to  local history are exhibited, such as weapons of the time, fishing gear used by the inhabitants of the area, shackles, chains and handcuffs, among other pieces of great value, evidence of the material of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

(Taken from Cubadebate)

English version Hector Hdez.

Reading sublimates, reconstructs, saves. With that feeling and cultural horizon, a virtual book space will be available in these digital pages, starting next February 15 and throughout the year, as a platform for the promotion of books, literature and its makers in Cuba.

    It is an alliance between Cubadebate, the Cuban Book Institute (ICL) and its Observatory (OCLL), the Cubaliteraria publishing house, the Cuba Digital project and Claustrofobias, Literary Promotions.

This new cultural crusade only marks a starting date, next Monday, since it is born with the desire to be maintained over time and not close its doors to the promotion and exchange around the work of writers, publishing houses and institutions committed to literary development in our geography.

Archive image.

Approaches to titles recently released from the polygraphy, ebooks downloads from the specialized section Libros Libres, multimedia contents, interviews with book professionals in Cubadebate TV spaces such as Zona del Arte and the newscast Desde Cuba, podcasts, interaction in social networks, infographics on the most recent studies carried out in the country, among other initiatives, will be available to those who access Cubadebate and bet on this socialization project.

In that sense, the proposal that will see the light of day on February 15 constitutes an alliance that adds to the literary promotion actions planned or accompanied by the ICL throughout 2020 and during the current calendar.

Photo: José Raúl Concepción/ Cubadebate.

Because #ReerSalva, the aspiration is that we cultivate the good habit of reading from our homes.

On paper or digital support, because it is not about making distinctions to one side or the other of the formats, but to defend reading as an enriching experience and personal growth. Reading to cultivate, to grow and also to challenge confinement from the freedom offered by printed and virtual pages.

Offering refuge and opportunities in this cultural journey is, then, the horizon of this festival for and from the letters. The invitation? Live this event, make it yours and #StayAtHomeReading.
(Taken from Cubadebate)

English version Hector Hdez.