Manuel Garcia is part of the group of lovers of the new Cuban trova.   Photo taken from Cubasí

Havana, Septmber 18 (RHC)-- Chilean singer-songwriter Manuel Garcia expressed his gratitude for Cuba's historic solidarity with his country during his performance at the 'Tropa Cosmica' trova event, which concluded this Sunday in the central city of Santa Clara.

Manuel Garcia is part of the group of lovers of the new Cuban trova, especially Silvio Rodriguez.

The outstanding troubadour, who had previously performed at the Ernesto Che Guevara hall of Casa de las Americas, in Havana, showed the historic gratitude of the Chilean people towards the largest Antillean island for welcoming exiles following the military coup to the government of Salvador Allende, on September 11, 1973.

"Being here is very special and exciting. We feel small and humble in front of what Santa Clara proposes to us as a place in the world exponent of freedom and the right of peoples to exist, and to be masters of their own history," said the award-winning singer and composer.

The 2008 National Music Prize winner in his native country also had as special guests Cuban troubadour Karel García and master pianist Carmen Paz.

This event, which began on September 13 in the city of Santa Clara, is the first to be held in the country outside Havana since it began to be held on March 21, 1996.

Previous venues, in addition to the Cuban capital, had been Mexico, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Spain and Germany, among other countries.