Some time ago some Cuban artists launched proclamations on their social networks supporting the people, specifically for the events of 11J. They talked about the people, who were next to him. That the suffering of the people, that the people come first, that the people are the most sacred, that the people do this, that the people do that…
Today Pinar del Río, Isla de la Juventud, Artemisa, Mayabeque and Havana have suffered from the devastating passage of a hurricane, with Pinar being the most affected region.
I have not seen publications in support of the people who have now lost their homes, their property and more in just 6 hours. Nor have I seen the free concerts of those who coincidentally were next to the town on 11J. There have been exceptions: the renowned singer-songwriter Raúl Paz went to Pinar to sing to the people about him in the middle of the blackout, helped by a small power plant.
Another one who joined the aid work and concrete actions was Kcho together with his brigade, Marta Machado, also Raúl Torres, and many troubadours from various regions of the country. But even in other harsh recent events such as the fire at the Matanzas tanker base, for example, similar actions were carried out by the artist Michel Mirabal, the singer-songwriter Nelson Valdés Viera, theater projects for children, the AHS, troubadours from Santa Clara, Santiago and more.
But I’m still waiting for the mega free concerts and statements on networks from those who have been on the side of the people since such symbolic dates as 11J. It is worth wondering how within hours of that date they were already setting positions; however it has been more than a week of Ian and they still haven’t written or said anything.
Or is there a town for some things and not for others?
My respects in public for these great Cuban artists and for those who are now preparing to leave for Pinar del Río
(By: Oni Acosta Llerena)