Washington, Oct 4 (Prensa Latina) The exhibition “Cuban Bonds: An Exploration of Cuban Culture by Three Artists” was inaugurated at the Embassy in this capital of the Caribbean country with the presence of guest curator Jon West-Bey.
At the opening of the exhibition, which also featured artists Sami Miranda, Lázaro Batista, and Ulysses Marshall, Alejandro Pila, the deputy head of the Cuban Mission, stated: “Our Embassy is not just a diplomatic building. For a moment, it becomes something more, a cultural bridge.”
Welcoming those present the day before, Pila emphasized that “Cuba is a living mosaic, shaped by African, European, and Caribbean roots. And from those roots emerged a vibrant, resilient, and deeply human culture.”
We are especially proud,” he said, “to inaugurate this exhibition at the beginning of Cuban Culture Month.”
He also noted that “if there’s one thing history reminds us of, it’s that Cuban and American cultures have long been connected. The rhythms of Havana and the sounds of New Orleans share a common heartbeat. Afro-Cuban percussion and African-American blues grew from common roots.”
The resulting space brought together striking and colorful works that speak to memory, heritage, and contemporary Cuba, as well as the connections between African-American history and the island’s narratives.
Music with the same powerful Afro-Cuban rhythms was also present. Roberto Dominich Olano, a Havana native who, since the age of eight, found his way of communicating with the world through drums, delighted the audience.
Olano has played timba, songo, guaguancó, salsa, jazz, and the cadences of Santería, and throughout his career he has performed on stage with major groups, including the legendary Irakere.
Since March 1980, he has lived in Washington, D.C., helping to bring Cuban music to new audiences, becoming a cultural bridge to teach young musicians, pass on tradition, and keep alive a legacy that is much more than music.
/dfm
