Singing for justice

Alain Valdés Sierra

IN the presence of President Raúl Castro, a Gala was held September 11 honoring the Five Cuban Heroes, arrested 15 years ago for defending their country from acts of terrorism.

Havana’s Karl Marx Theater was the venue for the event Te doy una canción, broadcast internationally, with which the people of Cuba, and friends from all over the world demanded that U.S. authorities do justice in the case of the Cuban anti-terrorists, so that Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González and Antonio Guerrero may return to their country, their homes and families.

Laura Labañino Palmeiro, one of Ramón’s daughters, recounted how difficult it has been for her to grow up without her father, whom as a small child she perceived as immense and who, after 15 years in harsh prison conditions, including solitary confinement, is trying to conceal the ravages this has caused to his health.

She confided that she was convinced of a happy ending for her father and his brothers in struggle, given that their enforced separation has not undermined the confidence that reason will prevail and that, sooner rather than later, she can enjoy Ramón’s affection outside of the hostile environment of the prison where he is completing his unjust sentence.

Cuban culture once again expressed the sentiments of a people by placing its most genuine manifestations at the service of the noble cause of the liberation of its sons from U.S. jails.

New trova dominated the stage, with guitars and songs of commitment, this time through the great performer of pentagrams and poetry, Silvio Rodríguez.

The Cuban singer-songwriter, accompanied by Niurka González on flute, Oliver Valdés, and the Trío Trovarroco, gave life to "El hombre de Maisinicú", "El Necio" and "El dulce abismo", excellent exponents of the New Trova movement which has marked various generations of Cubans.

There was much applause for David Blanco for his excellent piano version of "Yo soy el punto cubano," by the immortal Celina González, the Lizt Alfonso ballet, Puerto Rican Danny Rivera, and Argentine singer-songwriter Víctor Heredia.

GRANMA