(Prensa Latina – Cumbancha – Insider’s Music) Havana, Cuba – Once again, the
United States government denied visas for a prestigious delegation of Cuban
musicians to attend the Grammy Awards ceremony, February 8, in Los Angeles. In a
situation similar to what happened with the Latin Grammy in Miami, the Recording
Academy sent the invitation letters demanded by US government procedures to
travel to the US. The required documents were immediately presented by the Cuban
institutions to the US Interests Section in Havana.
It is even more outrageous that the denial of visas for the Cuban delegation
is justified under section 212 (f) of the US Immigration Law related to
terrorists, assassins, drug-dealers and everyone who is considered a menace to
US national security. Inside and outside Cuba, the ethical, moral and human
values of guitarist
Manuel Galbán, Eugenio Rodríguez, leader of the
Septeto
Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro, lute player Barbarito Torres, excellent percussionist
Amadito Valdés, and the Cuban music glories
Ibrahim Ferrer and Guillermo
Rubalcaba are a known quantity. Their fame is in Cuba and abroad, as well as
their sense of loyalty, patriotism and their extraordinary artistic talent. More than 13,000 professional musicians of revolutionary Cuba cultivate these
values, and that is precisely why this attempt to besmirch the nation’s culture
is made. The Cuban Music Institute denounces this new insult to Cuba’s culture
and its people, while it thanks the organizers for trying to help the Cuban
musicians attend the Grammy ceremony. Unfortunately – it said – the US people
were deprived of enjoying these honorable exponents of universal Cuban music.
Someday, when there is no blockade, manipulations, or threats, both countries’
peoples will enjoy each other’s music in peace.
[Other related stories published at
World Music Central:
Homeland
Security proposes increases in fees for immigration applications
Homeland Security Forces Cancellations of Paco de Lucía Concerts
Director of “Los Van Van” Says US Embargo Affects Music
State Department Insists Time Ran Out for Latin Grammy Nominees
US Processing Visas for Cuban Latin Grammy Nominees
Zimbabwe Group Black Umfolosi Denied Entry in Israel
Austrian-Palestinian Musician Deported by Israeli Authorities ].
[Photo of Ibrahim Ferrer].
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
