Poster of the XV International Timbalaye Festival La Ruta de la Rumba 2023
Havana, Aug 20 (RHC) The 15th Timbalaye La Ruta de la Rumba 2023 International Timbalaye Festival begins here today with the loud beating of Bata drums, which will run through 10 provinces until August 31, bringing the sounds of the African legacy.
This cultural event that will tour Cuba from west to east counts on the participation for the first time of Brazil and there will also be representation from Mexico.
It includes in Havana the International Colloquium The Sounds of Cultural Identity, to be held at the Casa de África on August 21, where Marcos Santos, Brazilian musician, researcher and ethnomusicologist will be the guest of honor and will present Entre Tambores: Brazil-Cuba, with a music demonstration.
According to the program of the organizing committee, Dr. Miguel Barnet, president of the Fernando Ortiz Foundation and honorary president of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba, and other scholars of related topics will be present.
This year, Timbalaye is dedicated to musical instruments as an integral part of the essence of the cultural identity of the peoples, specifically to the Batá drums, evidence of the African legacy present in many Latin American nations; hence the presence here of artists from the Brazilian region of Salvador de Bahia.
The group Diáspora Bantú, a native of the South American giant, will perform on Havana's stage with its rhythms and traditions.
At a press conference, dancer Ulises Mora, president of the festival, stressed the importance of safeguarding and disseminating the sounds that identify and characterize Cuba in the world.He commented that the festival focuses on safeguarding the rumba from the living heritage and identity of the neighborhoods with tradition of this genre recognized as Cultural Heritage of the nation and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
This year, Timbalaye opens its doors in Havana, and then travels from Pinar del Rio to Guantanamo, then returns to the west and closes in Matanzas on August 31. Concerts, shows, guest artists, dance lessons, visits to historic sites, colloquiums, meetings in the neighborhoods with emblematic characters and recreational activities are on the broad agenda of this 15th edition.
The event aims to promote sustainable tourism, boost cooperation and development, and support the achievements of education, health and sports in Cuba.It also provides Cubans and visitors with the opportunity to learn about Cuba's historical heritage, arts, architecture, culinary heritage, literature and music from the roots. (Source: Prensa Latina)
