Two greats of Cuban folk music are honored at the National Workshop

Two great artists who have transcended the boundaries of Sancti Spíritus, Gabino Rodríguez and Raúl Herrera, received heartfelt tributes during the III National Workshop on Décima and Punto Cubano.

“Those of us who create décimas, and especially those of us who work with them, who live from them, anything that comes our way, even a note from a listener, is a great blessing and brings us joy.” These are Gabino’s words, the shorter of the two, but with the same experience on stage. “The fact that they’re going to do a project with me and with a colleague of mine from so many years ago, who has helped me so much in this career with his skill and his kindness, well, that made me very, very happy.”

Meanwhile, Raúl, a man of immense stature, like a burst of inspiration, dreams that this space will be the beginning of a better era, one in which to repay the debts owed to the traditions of Cuban rural culture. “And this strengthens and uplifts me to continue with this beautiful work that is the décima, the improvised verse, and well, which has sometimes been treated like Cinderella, because it has not been given the attention it deserves.”