Monday’s concert by Cuban trova musician Karel García, broadcast on the frequencies of Canal Clave, Radio Progreso, the Youtube channel of the Cuban Ministry of Culture and a network of more than 100 Facebook pages, marked the first in a series of fresh such virtual performances by musicians on the island, in support of the national campaign #EstamosContigo #MusicosPorCuba to stop the spread of Covid-19.

The concerts are an initiative by the Cuban Music Institute, the Ministry of Culture and the Radio and television Institute (ICRT). According to the Communications Office of the Cuban Music Institute, the concerts online will continue throughout May to please all audiences. Scheduled performances include that of the rock group DarknessFall on May 5, Dayana García and the Havana Chamber Orchestra on May 6; pianist Rodrigo García and his group Ceda el Paso on Thursday, May 7 and Duo Iris on Friday, May 8 –all at 4:30 pm (Cuban Time).

Natacha García, Communications director with the Cuban Music Institute explained that the planned concerts this week are in the framework of the 27th edition of the Romerías de Mayo Festival.

Organized by the Hermanos Saíz Association, the Cuban Ministry of Culture, cultural institutions and the provincial government in eastern Holguin, the Romerías de Mayo festival is held annually to celebrate and promote the creative work of young artists.

With the premise that culture saves people’s spiritual lives, the slogan of this year’s event is ‘There cannot be a future without a present,’ urging people to comply with in-place physical distancing and movement restriction rules, while staying connected via social networks, conveying much-needed messages of unity, solidarity and hope for the present and the future of all of humanity.