My name is Darío Cuba Hernández, I am a flutist in my third year at ENA, and I came in second place in category C in the second edition of the National Music Competition.

Personally, I left feeling extremely happy and excited after the week-long exchange with the FAJ team and the winners of this and last year's edition. We were learning, having fun, rehearsing hard, and being extremely productive the entire time. The great atmosphere that we all shared and enjoyed throughout the week was remarkable. There may have been the occasional scolding, but that's necessary when you're working toward an important goal, such as the wonderful concert that closed the exchange program. From the first day I talked about what this competition meant, I told you that, in addition to being a great opportunity to showcase and bring to light all the young talent we have and that, thanks to the visibility, each one can pursue a career in the way they want and are able to, it is a very nice and useful incentive for all those young people who are studying so hard and always trying to get ahead, because if it weren't for initiatives like this one by the FAJ in collaboration with UNICEF, the French Embassy, and all the wonderful judges who participated in the competition, there would be hardly any events to encourage them to continue on this beautiful and complicated path that is music and art in general.

So, after these remarks, I think I speak for everyone when I say that I am very grateful to FAJ, UNICEF, UNESCO, the French Embassy, the jury, and everyone involved in this competition. And to FAJ in particular: keep "turning utopias into art." 💚