Cuba’s Jornada de la Canción Política Pays Tribute to Eduardo Sosa

The Jornada de la Canción Política continues this week in the eastern province of Guantánamo, Cuba, with a heartfelt tribute to renowned troubadour Eduardo Sosa, who passed away in February of this year.

Sosa, known for his innate gift for connection and empathy, spoke with Prensa Latina in October 2023 about one of his greatest loves — the guitar.

“Being just another Cuban, part of this people, and with life being so turbulent, you never know the exact moment to reach for the guitar,” he said during that conversation.

With his guitar as a constant companion in every performance — more than an instrument, a partner in creativity — Sosa captivated audiences through his authenticity and unpretentious charm. “I prefer to pick up the guitar every day,” he shared. “To draw something out of it, to feel more in sync with it. I see it as a living instrument, and cultivating that friendship, that love, that relationship — it moves me.”

Perhaps guided by Erato, the Greek muse of lyric poetry and romantic verse, Sosa swapped the ancient phormix for the Cuban guitar, molding melodies at will, which became beautiful songs paired with the warmth of his voice.

This year’s festival, which runs through August 4, also honors another towering figure in Cuban music — composer and guitarist Martha Valdés, who passed away exactly one year after Sosa’s last interview. A leading figure in the second generation of the filin movement, Valdés composed a wide range of works including boleros, habaneras, criollas, and sones montunos.

In addition to paying tribute to these two icons of Cuban song, the event marks its 49th anniversary by reaffirming Guantánamo’s standing as a cultural stronghold. The Jornada continues to celebrate national identity and promote social reflection through the power and poetry of trova.