On the afternoon of November 23, the theater of the National Museum of Fine Arts of Cuba hosted the final concert of the Second Edition of the National Music Competition, sponsored by the Young Artists Fund and UNICEF Cuba, with the support of the French Embassy, French Cooperation, and the UNESCO regional office in Havana.

Eleven musicians in training, both academically trained and self-taught, from various provinces of the country, who won awards in the competition, shared the stage with renowned musicians of international renown, opening a door to emerging talent in the Cuban musical context.

A select repertoire of Cuban music, arranged by Janio Abreu, musical director of the initiative, thrilled those who attended the performance by Natalia Hernández and Armando Moreira (guitars), Paola Abreu, Esteban Hernández, Álvaro Pérez, Félix Matos, Arian Gounelas, and Diego Abreu (piano), María Karla Rifat (cello), Darío Cuba (flute), and Vismar Suárez (saxophone).

The premiere of works composed by the award winners also took place, accompanied by prestigious Cuban musicians such as Roldán Carballoso (tres and lute), Adel González (percussion), Lázaro Rivero “El Fino” (double bass), Fabio Abreu (drums), Alejandro Falcón (piano), and singer Annys Batista, winner of the FAJ call for creative music projects.

The second edition of the National Music Competition was announced in July 2025, as part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, and received 56 entries from almost every province in the country.

The National Music Competition represents the commitment of FAJ and UNICEF Cuba to promoting culture, fostering encounters between several generations of musicians in a friendly atmosphere of mentoring and mutual development.

An opportunity to coordinate our efforts with those of organizations committed to children and culture for development.