Havana Hosts Basque Choir

This note comes to us thanks to the Cuban News Agency:

Basque Choir Give Concert in Havana

Havana, Aug 27 (acn) The Ibero-American Cultural Center in Havana recently hosted the first presentation in Cuba of the Gaztelu Zahar Choir from the Basque Country.

Choir member Uriarte Gilbert said this was the choir's first visit to Cuba, "An island that is very similar to the Basque Country because its people are very happy and listen to a lot of music, like we do at home."

The concert of sacred songs, Spanish polyphonies and ballads demonstrated the group's command of vocal technique and a profound sensitivity, highlighting a veneration of love, and a sense of belonging and respect for their land of birth. At the end of one of their songs, the choir made a call to use art to build peace and dialogue among nations.

"We usually rehearse once a week after work. We have sung in many parts of Europe and in our country we have participated in many festivals. We also like to spend New Year's Eve singing in the streets," said Gilbert.

The group was founded in 1945 and currently is made up of 35 singers, said Gilbert.

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