The 19th edition of the Fiesta del Tambor Festival is dedicated to Cuba and will bring the sounds of leather to Havana communities for the first time, the organizing committee said today at a press conference.
As they explained, the presence only of Cuban groups in the program responds to the economic and epidemiological situation of the country, the consequences derived from the Covid-19 pandemic and the mobility restriction measures that some countries still maintain.
However, they affirmed, they took on the challenge of holding the event under these circumstances and, as a novelty, joining the transformations in the communities, especially the most vulnerable ones, in accordance with the priorities of the Cuban Government and its institutions.
With this premise, they will promote the Drums for the Neighborhood show, which will reach four Havana towns to develop concerts by several outstanding rumba groups in the nation.
The program includes as a main course the Guillermo Barreto in Memoriam international competition that this year will only host the international drum competition; in addition to jazz sessions and percussion master classes, popular dances, folklore and rumba.
The activities will take place in the Salón 1930 of the Hotel Nacional, the Amphitheater of the Historic Center and the Arco de Belén in Old Havana, cultural entities that will receive renowned performers of the genre on the island and other debutants.
Among the invited artists, Rolando Luna, Alexander Abreu, Alain Pérez, David Blanco, the Síntesis group, the Rumbatá group, Editorial Revé and its Charangón, Pupy y los que Son Son, the Timbalaye ensemble, among other artists, stand out.
According to the organizers, the contest will be guided by a prestigious jury made up of teachers Enrique Pla, José Luis Quintana (Changuito) and Oliver Valdés, who set standards in the sound scene of the Caribbean nation.
Professional musicians or winners of previous editions of the festival residing in the country may register free of charge.
In the case of foreign drummers, they must pay the registration fee stipulated through the event website (www.fiestadeltamborpopular.com).
The appointment with the flavor of the Cuban drum is scheduled from March 1 to 6 and will pay tribute to the 70th anniversary of the Muñequitos de Matanzas, to the 60th anniversary of the National Folkloric Ensemble; as well as Salvador González and the alley of Hamel.
