The University of Havana awarded this Friday to silvio rodriguez the title of doctor “honoris causa” in Social and Humanist Sciences, an “indescribable” recognition that he receives on behalf of the Cuban trova.
“I will take this encouragement in the name of the Cuban trova of all time”, manifested the troubadour in the Aula Magna, where he evoked the “historical links” that bind him to the educational institution, in particular, the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
?| The @UdeLaHavana grants the troubadour Silvio Rodríguez the academic status Doctor Honoris Causa in Social Sciences and Humanities.
??| President @DiazCanelB attend such an important event. pic.twitter.com/eFxOYL0OEa
— Presidency Cuba ?? (@PresidenciaCuba) June 2, 2023
“Many old and dear friends passed through here; some were teachers. I was about to enter once, in History, but the consequences of my exercise of guitar –as Retamar would say– they didn’t let me,” he said in words reproduced on his blog, Second date.
There he also received a folder with posters created by design students with references to emblematic songs from his work.
Rodríguez is one of the contemporary Cuban composers with the most national and international recognition. This condition recognizes the importance of his work, which includes the musical composition and lyrics of hundreds of songs loaded with powerful lyricism, for which some voices have mentioned him as a possible candidate for the National Literature Award.
In 1968 he participated in the concert that would mark the founding of the Cuban Nueva Trova movement, together with composers such as Noel Nicola and Pablo Milanés. This movement, which was joined by artists from all over the island, became one of the most influential in Latin America during the second half of the 20th century.
Silvio was born on November 29, 1946, in San Antonio de los Baños, current province of Artemisa. He was also one of the founders of the Sound Experimentation Group, supported by the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC).
Many of his songs, such as “Oleo de una mujer con sombreros”, “Ojalá” or “Sueño con serpientes”, are part of the national and cultural history of Cuba and Cubans.
His inauguration is considered the last action of the professional program of the International Scientific Convention of the University of Havana, Saber UH, inaugurated last Monday in the central Yara movie theater.
In 2009, the National University of Córdoba distinguished Silvio Rodríguez with the title Doctor Honoris Causa.
