(Prensa Latina)
Havana, Cuba – “Songs do not change the world, but could make it better,” Cuban folk
singer Silvio Rodriguez, one of the top exponents of Cuban music, stated.
The author of “El Necio” and Ojalá” replied some questions by some of the five
Cubans imprisoned in the US for espionage and their families, and his comments
were published in the local newspaper Juventud Rebelde.
Rodriguez said he was “surprised” by Antonio Guerrero –one of the five prisoners
– question: “what did you feel when you learned your songs were also tools for
the struggle and resistance in the prisons of the empire?“”The motivation for the songs usually are away from such transcendental scenes,
such important and hair-raising situations for everyone, as that reality our
five comrades, brothers, are living,” the author of “Amada” stated.
“Actually, most times one makes them like daydreaming; and suddenly, one sees
them as children. Sometimes they even take backpacks, grab rifles and go who
knows where, to fight extraordinarily.”
“These things other people pass through, which come to you through them, teach
you that, indeed, songs can not change the workd, but contribute to make it
better,” he concluded.
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.
