The great danzonera party began in Matanzas.

Danzón has been approved as Intangible Heritage Genre of the City of Matanzas, the aspiration is extended until it is declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Since yesterday, March 27th and until next Sunday, March 30th, the city of Matanzas is the protagonist of the sixth Encuentro Internacional Danzonero Miguel Failde in Memoriam, with workshops, conferences, concerts, contests and dances for the enjoyment of the people, with stages at the Parque de la Libertad, the Plaza de la Vigía and the José White Concert Hall.

Ethiel Failde.

The sixth International Encounter, the brainchild of the Failde Orchestra’s director, flutist Ethiel Fernández Failde, descendant of the author of the Baile Nacional, will pay tribute to Honorary Laureates Omara Portuondo on her 95th birthday and to Unionense José Leonard Viciedo, «the restless Joseíto», on his 85th birthday, in addition to paying tribute to unforgettable musicians Jacobo Rubalcaba, Coralia López, Raimundo Valenzuela and Antonio Maria Romeu.

Omara Portuondo and Ethiel Failde.

José Fidel Leonard Viciedo,  Mayor Danzonero dancer.

The opening of the sixth Encuentro Internacional Danzonero Miguel Faílde in Memoriam was in charge of the Orquesta Aragón, at 10:00 p.m. at the Parque de la Libertad.

The event will feature theoretical sessions to exalt danzón in the Cuban and universal musical context. Among the speakers will be Dr. María Victoria Oliver, who has specialized in this traditional musical-danceable practice in Cuba’s Athens, and renowned musicologist Alicia Valdés, activities that will take place at the José White Concert Hall.

The people will enjoy four days of good music, with the participation of renowned Cuban and Mexican groups. In addition to the Aragón and Failde, there will be the Charanga de Oro, the Piquete Típico Cubano, the Camerata Romeu, the Provincial Concert Band and from the Aztec country, the Danzonera La Playa, from Veracruz and the Danzonera Isora Club, from Mexico City, which will perform at the Parque de la Libertad and the José White Concert Hall.

Failde Orchestra.

Among the main events of the sixth Encuentro Internacional Danzonero Miguel Faílde in Memoriam, the dance contests in the categories of children and youth, on Saturday at 4:00 pm, and adults Ricardo Benedit Varela, first round on Friday at 10:00 pm and final on Saturday at 9:00 pm, all on the slabs of the Parque de la Libertad, stand out.

Likewise, Pedro Pablo Cruz, representative of the Failde Orchestra and of the Organizing Committee of this event, pointed out that the closing on Sunday, March 30th will be in charge of the Camerata Romeu, at the White Hall.

Once Danzón has been approved as Intangible Heritage Genre of the City of Matanzas, the aspiration is extended until it is declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Wriyyen by María Elena Bayón.