Havana, August 24 (RHC)—Cubans celebrate Saturday the centennial of one of its most beloved artists: singer Benny Moré, also known as el “Barbaro del Ritmo.”

He was born in Santa Isabel de Las Lajas, in the central province of Cienfuegos on August 24 1919.

A cultural gala was held Friday at the Benny Moré Cultural Center of the Arts in Lajas, and a  pilgrimage to his tomb in the municipal cemetery was scheduled for Saturday.

A series of events are being held island wide to pay tribute to him. They include concerts, book launches and film screening, among others.

Benny Moré was born as Bartolomé Maximiliano Moré Gutiérrez and although he died in 1963 at 44, he remains constantly present in Latin rhythms and in the repertoires of musical groups all over the world.  His centennial is being celebrated as well in other Latin American countries