Urgent: Mass Celebrates Celia Cruz in Cuba Amid Censorship Outcry

UPDATE: Hundreds gathered in Havana on October 24, 2023, for a Mass honoring the late salsa icon Celia Cruz as her centennial approaches. This event follows the shocking cancellation of a tribute performance by Cuban authorities, sparking widespread condemnation and accusations of censorship.

The Mass took place at the Basilica of La Caridad in the bustling Centro Habana neighborhood. Attendees included notable figures like U.S. Charge d’Affaires Mike Hammer and renowned artists such as singer Haila María Monpiet. During his homily, Father Ariel Suárez celebrated Cruz as an ambassador of Cuban music, invoking her famous call: “Azúcar!”

“Her songs give hope and joy, but she also wanted freedom for all the Cuban people,” Hammer stated, underscoring the emotional weight of Cruz’s legacy. The absence of government officials at the Mass highlighted the ongoing tension between Cuba’s artistic community and state authorities.

Cruz, born on October 21, 1925, in Havana, became a global symbol of Cuban music before leaving for the U.S. in 1960, where she openly opposed the Castro regime. Her passing in 2003 left a void, as she never returned to her homeland. Despite this, her influence remains strong, with events honoring her occurring worldwide, except in Cuba.

Earlier this week, the theater group El Público announced a tribute to Cruz, only to have state-run National Center for Popular Music abruptly cancel it hours before the performance without explanation. This decision has fueled accusations of censorship, with critics arguing that the Cuban government continues to suppress cultural expressions associated with the exile community.

In a poignant statement on social media, the Cuban Art Factory posted an image of an empty chair under spotlights, captioned, “A work of art that never was, a chair, silence, and the art of resistance. Celia Lives.” This powerful visual has resonated deeply with artists and advocates who view it as a stark representation of the ongoing struggle for artistic freedom in Cuba.

Musicologist Rosa Marquetti called the cancellation a “chapter” of censorship in Cuban cultural history, asserting that authorities have failed to diminish the impact of Cruz’s legacy over the past six decades. “They have spent 60 years trying — without success — to tarnish one of the most extraordinary trajectories of life in the cultural sphere,” she wrote on Facebook.

As the world prepares to celebrate Cruz’s centennial, the tension between artistic expression and government repression remains at the forefront of Cuban culture. The recent events underscore the resilience of Cuba’s artistic community and their relentless dedication to honoring a legend who continues to inspire hope and joy across the globe.

Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds, highlighting the intersection of culture, politics, and the enduring legacy of Celia Cruz.