The Cuban troubadour returned to the country with four concerts at the Movistar Arena and a visit to La Moneda, where he was received by President Gabriel Boric, adding another meeting to his long relationship with Chile and its leaders.
On Monday night, Silvio Rodríguez marked his return to Chile with an emotional concert at the Movistar Arena, the first of four scheduled in the country as part of the tour for his latest work, “Quería saber.”
On the same day, Rodríguez met with former President Michelle Bachelet backstage at the capital's venue, where they shared a relaxed conversation, and the Cuban troubadour even presented gifts to the former leader for her birthday.
It was Bachelet herself who, in February 2007, welcomed Rodríguez at La Moneda. On that occasion, the artist gave her a disc of his own work and a painting by Cuban artist Roberto Fabelo. The meeting lasted for an hour and a half.
Among the topics of conversation highlighted by the press and revealed by the singer himself was the possibility of a law in Chile that would require all foreign artists to "hold a free concert for the people," as expressed by the singer-songwriter.
The meeting with Boric
This Thursday, Rodríguez visited the Palacio de La Moneda again, this time invited by President Gabriel Boric.
Government spokesperson Camila Vallejo also joined the meeting, with whom Silvio Rodríguez had previously met in 2012, as seen in a photo that the singer-songwriter himself published on his blog Segunda Cita.
On that occasion, the then-student leader visited Rodríguez in Havana, accompanied by Karol Cariola. The meeting between the government representatives and Silvio Rodríguez lasted for more than an hour.
This marks the fourth time Silvio Rodríguez has visited La Moneda. He had previously done so in 1990 when he returned to the country to perform after the return to democracy. He was received by Patricio Aylwin and gave an interview to the press in which he analyzed that moment.
“All I hope is that this concert serves to help the peoples of Chile and Cuba restart what – for reasons beyond our peoples – had been interrupted,” he stated on that occasion.
Boric is the fourth president to receive Silvio Rodríguez at La Moneda. The first was Salvador Allende, in a meeting that the singer-songwriter himself recalled during the tribute concert for the 50th anniversary of the military coup, held in Havana, Cuba.
His first encounter with the late president took place at La Moneda in 1972, where "he shook hands with each of the guests at the Congress of the Jota," an event for young troubadours that he attended thanks to the invitation from Gladys Marín, a friend of Isabel Parra, who informed the communist leader about the political stance of these Cuban musicians.
In this way, the singer adds a new activity to his stay in Chile, alongside an event that his musicians will hold, where they will conduct a class in the municipality of La Pintana on Friday.
Musicians from Silvio Rodríguez's band will hold a free class for youth in La Pintana
Amid the concerts at Movistar Arena being performed by the renowned Cuban artist Silvio Rodríguez, three of his official musicians will conduct a class for young people. The event will be completely free and will take place at the Municipal Theater of La Pintana.
The event is scheduled for this Friday, October 3rd, at 7:00 PM at the Municipal Theater of La Pintana. Drummer Oliver Valdés, double bassist Jorge Reyes, and pianist Jorge Aragón will be responsible for teaching children and teenagers who dream of performing on great stages like the Cuban composer.
The musicians will be assisted by students from the Big Band La Pintana, a jazz and popular music orchestra from the Cultural Corporation of the municipality. Under the direction of their teacher, Emanuel Valencia, the young musicians will perform some of Silvio Rodríguez's greatest hits.
“For us, it is a great honor to welcome these incredible musicians. It will be a free event open to the community where we can learn about the work of these great masters who perform alongside one of the greatest interpreters in the Spanish-speaking market,” said Claudio Espinosa, director of the Cultural Corporation of La Pintana.
To attend the free event, you must download a ticket from the website of the La Pintana Cultural Center. You can obtain a maximum of two tickets per person. The class will begin at 7:00 PM and will run until 8:30 PM. The municipality encourages attendees to arrive 40 minutes before the start time.
The event will take place at the Municipal Theater of La Pintana, located at Av. Santa Rosa 12975. Parking will be available at Aníbal Pinto 12881.
Source: Cubadebate
