«El Bolerazo» transcends time.
The defense of the Bolero, Cultural Heritage of the Nation, is one of the passions of the renowned singer Alfonsito Llorens since the beginning of his career. His powerful and limpid voice makes those who idolize this genre in Cuba and beyond the seas vibrate with emotion.
That was the reason for him to put so much effort in achieving a space aptly named «El Bolerazo», whose stage was the headquarters of the UNEAC Matanzas for nearly five years, with the participation of famous singers of the patio, as well as guests of the stature of Beatriz Marquez, Ivette Cepeda, Hector Tellez and Leo Vera, among many other musicians of worth and that has been conducted by the animator Leonel Esquivel.
One day, due to building limitations, it migrated to Plaza San Juan de ARTEX, on the popular Narváez Street, in the heart of the historic center of the city of rivers and bridges.
The seventh anniversary of this musical project, whose branches have extended to Varadero and tours to the municipalities of the province, motivated a splendid celebration, of which the composer and vice president of the Writers and Artists of Matanzas speaks to us in an exclusive interview for this media:
«It was a magical night of enjoying art together with Téllez, with whom I have worked a lot in recent times. The hall was filled with friends, colleagues who have worked with me throughout the year, the authorities of the territory and the magnificent sponsors and above all this wonderful people of Matanzas.
«I feel committed and excited. I can’t stop reminiscing about the joys of that night when we commemorated the awakening.»
About the recognition to the artistic movement of Matanzas in the preservation of Cuban music and especially the bolero, Alfonsito expresses:
«I think that here there is a valuable contribution to the permanence and transcendence of the bolero in the popular taste. We have been gaining a place little by little; there was no place to listen to it, and we achieved it; in a way that has become gigantic. Foreigners interested in our music and El Bolerazo visit us every Saturday of the month.
«The presidency of the national and provincial UNEAC has congratulated us for the hard work we do in favor of Cuban music. I wish this genre a long and healthy life with great international repercussion».
To conclude the interview, Alfonsito Llorens announces that next August he will give two workshops and two performances in Mexico, a country also passionate about this special genre, capable of stirring incomparable emotions in the hearts of the people.
Written by María Elena Bayón.
