Havana World Music is a project that aims to promote cultural diversity through music. It promotes the exchange between musicians, produces and promoters with the aim to strengthen the ties and develop projects between Cuban and international artists. They also work to develop the local cultural sector.
Havana World Music says it promotes: Cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, Culture as a factor for development, Music as a tool in the education of respect and peace culture. It is a non-profit project led by the young and talented Cuban soul/fusion artist Eme Alfonso. Havana World Music's artistic director is Carlos Alfonso, front-figure of the international re-known group Sintesis, which for more than 30 years has unified and fused important parts of the Cuban music – from traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms to genres like rock and jazz.
Due to perform were Juan Formell and Los Van Van, Synthesis Group, William Vivanco, X Alfonso, Djoy of Cuba, Déjà vu, La Cinta Baraguá (English-Antillean roots), and bagpipes from the Galician Artistic Society (Spanish roots).
Among the foreign groups were Norwegian singer Thea Hjelmeland, Spanish duo Fuel Fandango, Auntie Flo DJ from UK, and the Colombian group La Mákina del Karibe, just to name a few.
The meeting also included workshops and conferences, hosted by the Higher Institute of Arts and the Casona of Linea Street, and given by Thea Hjelmeland and Auntie Flo DJ and Matraka Productions.
Sponsored by the Cuban Institute of Music and the National Centre for Popular Music, the Havana World Music Festival arises from the project ¨Para Mestizar¨, on Cuban cultural diversity, M Alfonso said, offering and receiving a range of artists who have built their own style.
For more about the project see http://havanaworldmusic.com/en/
View photos from the festival here>>
Watch this short animation for the Festival
Cuba 50 