The second week of the Haiti-Cuba Academic Residency Program of the Youth Art Fund began with a small but emotional meeting with YAF beneficiaries. At the event, the Haitian residents learned first-hand about the work of young Cuban creators and their relationship with the platform.
Once again, culture prevailed as a bridge. There was no need for intermediaries to play guitar and percussion, while the voices in chorus hummed typical songs of each country.
A similar scenario took place on the terrace of DJ Jigüe, who, in his cozy open-air space in the Centro Habana neighborhood, exchanged with Cuban and Haitian residents about the influence of Afro-Caribbean rhythms in both cultures.
Meanwhile, the musical improvisation classes, together with the renowned musician Janio Abreu, were no strangers to this connection that only common identity elements are capable of achieving.
During the week there were also solfeggio lessons with the teacher Anabel Letusé and a photographic safari, guided by photographer Alfredo Sarabia through a Havana lot, which served as a feast for the most daring and observant lenses of the group.
Invited by guitarist Dayron Ortiz, YAF beneficiary of the first call for music, the residents performed a jam on the terrace of the Hotel Claxon. Here, the audience enjoyed and danced to the rhythm of the most spontaneous Cuban-Haitian duets of the week, which ended with a joint recording in the guitarist's studio.
Another activity on the itinerary was the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the International Committee for the Development of Peoples (CISP), the partner responsible for implementing the YAF initiative.
When it comes to Cuban identity and traditions, the visit to the venue of the Muñequitos de Matanzas group, in the Matanzas province, is an iconic episode in the internship. Not only because of the cultural exchange with the musical group, winner of a Latin Grammy Award in 2001 but also because of the contact with the Matanzas community close to the project.
This first experience will remain in the memory of its protagonists as a space of confluences and reunions, not only idiosyncratic but also familiar.
«Cuba definitivamente me marcará para siempre», escribió el joven creador en su cuenta de Instagram, y ese es también, nuestro mayor regocijo.