With a vibrant week dedicated to the rhythm, tradition and cultural identity of the Island, the First Cuban Son Festival in London concluded with great success, leaving indelible marks on the British and Cuban public. The initiative, led by Cuban dancer Damarys Farres together with an enthusiastic team of artists, friends and enthusiasts interested in son, offered an excellent cultural experience that celebrated the best of traditional Cuban music.
The opening of the festival, held at the Green Rooms Hotel, paid a special tribute to the incomparable Benny Moré, "El Bárbaro del Ritmo". A night full of dynamism, flavour and emotion gave way to the living memory of the musical legacy of son through live performances of classics such as Castellano, que bueno baila usted and Maní, accompanied by the screening of a film narrating the life and work of the iconic Cuban musician.
The festival programme included collaborations with British and Cuban choreographers living in the UK, who highlighted the authenticity that the event was intended to convey. During the workshops and seminars, key themes such as the contratiempo, a basic step in the son, were addressed, which was the subject of practical and theoretical analysis by the instructors and participants. There were also spaces for exchange where the value of food and authentic Cuban drinks, such as the mojito, were highlighted, offered as an excellent pairing for the traditional rhythms of our island.
Throughout the week, attendees enjoyed seminars, open-air matinees, talks and dance spaces, where both beginners and experienced dancers shared the dance floor, learning new steps and rediscovering the traditional rhythms of son, changüí and danzón.
This festival was not only a showcase of the talent and passion of the Cuban community in the UK, but also a space for cultural exchange that reaffirms Son as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and Cuba as a nation of profound artistic and musical richness.
From the Cuban Embassy in the UK we congratulate the organisers and participants for this unforgettable celebration of our roots.
