Suva, September 30, 2026 – Cuban Ambassador, Néstor Torres, participated in a special edition of Vox Populi radio, broadcast by the University of Fiji, in celebration of International Jazz Day. During his introduction, the diplomat highlighted that Cuban culture is a vibrant melting pot, where African, European, and Caribbean influences converge, defining an identity marked by rhythm, joy, and unwavering resilience.
The guest emphasized that the island’s extraordinary artistic wealth is a direct result of the art school system established after the triumph of the Revolution in 1959. This policy, conceived as a cornerstone of social development, was driven by the strategic vision of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, whose centennial is being commemorated this year. Under this premise, music and dance have become the soul of Cuban society, encompassing countless genres, from rumba and bolero to timba.
One of the points of discussion was the analysis of Cuban jazz, a genre that the Ambassador described as a tribute to syncretism. By relying on the clave rhythm, this genre manages to fuse classical academic training with the spirituality of African roots. He explained that the result is a sound that not only satisfies the musical intellect but also energizes the body, distinguishing itself from traditional jazz through its profound percussive and spiritual character.
To conclude, the audience was treated to songs from the album “Canto a Dios” by the renowned Cuban pianist and composer Chucho Valdés. The Ambassador highlighted the symbolic value of this album, which pays tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005, strengthening cultural ties with the birthplace of jazz through a sophisticated blend of improvisation and symphonic structures.
(Embacuba Fiyi) 
