The drums arrived in Italy, and with them, the most indigenous representation of the African heritage in Cuba. The VII International Timbalaye Forum takes over, as in every edition, not only the Caribbean nation, but the stages of the world. Tarquinia, Rome, Baia Domizia and Passo Oscuro are witnessing these days a cultural exchange between both countries, where anthropology, literature, music and dance are the main protagonists.
Following the routes of enslaved people, the event proposes a space for dialogue and reflection whose essential objective remains the same as always, promoting the diversity of Afro-Cuban cultures and traditions with rumba as an indispensable element.
It is not by chance that May 19 was chosen for this forum to be inaugurated in the community of Tarquinia, province of Viterbo, which runs until the 25th. In addition to reclaiming the historical values of the cultural heritage of the Island, the occasion was used to honor the figure of the Apostle on the 129th anniversary of his fall in combat and remember his link with the fight against slavery. The 30th anniversary of the UNESCO Routes of Enslaved People program is the other reason for celebrating the event.
The Forum has the presence, as in other editions, of the outstanding poet, writer, essayist and ethnologist Miguel Barnet, president of the Fernando Ortiz Foundation and one of the intellectuals who has most dedicated his life to the study of Afro-Cuban culture. . This time, as guest of honor, Barnet presents his book Biografía de un Cimarrón, which reaches its 86th edition after being recently published by the Quodlibet publishing house as part of the Living History collection.
Not only celebrating African heritage and theorizing about it is part of Timbalaye’s agenda. Since its creation in 1999, the international promoter of Cuban culture has dedicated itself to promoting, from the sensitivity of art, paths that contribute to the fight against racism and discrimination, using the basis of slavery and the history of the African continent. as a mechanism to raise awareness.
Thanks to the collaboration of the Italian association Semillas de Paz, the National Italy-Cuba Friendship Association, and with the sponsorship of the Cuban Embassy in Italy, the European country enjoys a series of activities for a whole week in several provinces that They include lectures, dance classes and literary presentations.
However, Timbalaye 2024 does not end there, because after its closing on May 25 at Passo Oscuro Beach, it returns to Cuba to continue with the Rumba Route, which will arrive in the month of August to La Demajagua, a place where The unity of Cubans began regardless of their race on October 10, 1968.
(With information from CubaInformation)
