Silvio Rodríguez’s Work Overflows the Happy Hearts of Children in Cuba

The music of Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez travels across the seas to move audiences at every port, and today, with angelic tenderness, embraced childhoods in Cuba with the world premiere of an audiovisual compilation of works created for them.

Havana’s Charles Chaplin cinema was dressed in gala attire with the presence of the renowned artist and essential figure of Cuban culture, who expressed gratitude for the production of the DVD Concert to Distribute Songs: Silvio Rodríguez’s Music for Childhood.

“I greatly celebrate the extraordinary work that everyone has done, starting with the children, who have improved my songs,” the artist confessed during the presentation of the material on the opening day of the seventh International Meeting of Arts for Childhoods, “Happy Heart.”

The author of emblematic pieces of the Cuban musical repertoire extended his gratitude to those who took on the arrangements of the 14 songs, to the producers of the audiovisual piece, to the stage designers, and to everyone who collaborated to bring this production to a successful conclusion.

The occasion was fitting to recognize the musician with the Special Happy Heart Award, a laurel that debuts at the event and seeks to celebrate the work of personalities from Cuban culture.

The DVD, which benefited from Silvio Rodríguez’s advisory role, highlights the voices of children and adults, of cultivators of children’s music such as Rita del Prado and Rosa Campos, and of artists who make up the great family of Happy Heart.

“Not all of Silvio’s music intended for children is included in this material,” said creator Rubén Darío Salazar, the event’s artistic director.

Nevertheless, 14 songs are present, “defended, loved, and made with all the love in the world, with all the responsibility when composing and creating for childhoods.”

This afternoon, the Charles Chaplin cinema vibrated with the work of the distinguished troubadour, and songs were shared that touched the audience’s hearts, as the chords of “Fábula de los tres hermanos,” “Unicornio,” “Escaramujo,” “Cuando yo era un enano,” “No hacen falta alas,” and other pieces that make up his repertoire — and ours — were heard.