Cubans honor centenary of icon Celia Cruz

On Tue, Oct 17, 2023, a Mass was held in Havana to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Celia Cruz. This event followed the cancellation of a planned theater performance in her honor by Cuban authorities, which has led to criticism over censorship concerns.

Father Ariel Suárez, during his homily at the Basilica of La Caridad in Centro Habana, highlighted Cruz's influence as an ambassador of Cuban music and culture worldwide. He recalled the popular exclamation "Azúcar!" that became synonymous with her performances and noted that the Mass was commissioned by a group of artists who admire Cruz.

The Mass was attended by notable figures, including singer Haila María Mompie, jazz musician Alaín Pérez, and the United States Chargé d’Affaires, Mike Hammer. Hammer remarked that Cruz's songs bring hope and joy and expressed his honor in participating in the event to remember her life.

Born in Havana on Oct 21, 1925, Celia Cruz, known as the "Guarachera of Cuba" and the "Queen of Salsa," established a successful career before going into exile in the United States in 1960. She became an iconic figure within the Cuban exile community opposed to the Cuban revolution. Cruz passed away in 2003 without returning to her homeland, though she did perform at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantánamo in 1990.

Despite her international acclaim, Cruz received limited coverage in Cuba due to her political stance. In anticipation of her centennial, the theater group El Público had scheduled a tribute performance, which was abruptly canceled by the state-run National Center for Popular Music without explanation. The Cuban Art Factory, where the performance was to take place, has not commented publicly on the cancellation, although it did share an image of an empty chair on stage on its social media account.

Artists and musicologists have expressed their discontent with the cancellation, viewing it as an act of censorship by the authorities.

Based on reporting by Africanews.