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Latin America Serenades Fidel.

CUBA, August 11, 2011.- The Serenade of Fidelity, slated for August 12, will be the tribute of Latin America to Cuban leader Fidel Castro on the occasion of his 85th birthday, and will bring together over 20 foreign and Cuban voices at the capital’s Karl Marx Theater, in an evening anticipating August 13.

So far, the presentation, convened by the Guayasamin Foundation, includes 22 soloists and music groups from Cuba and another seven countries of the continent, in addition to an European singer.

In the form of an expression as old and genuine as a serenade, the spirit of Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamin will permeate the event, commented during a press conference Uruguayan artist Daniel Viglietti.

The singer-songwriter, one of the participants in the presentation, asserted that it will be a tribute to Fidel’s thinking.

Alfredo Vera, director for International Relations of the Foundation named after the famous painter, announced that the event is an expression of endless love, and recalled the ingenious way in which Guayasamin managed to convince his very close friend Fidel to accept the celebration of his birthday in 1988.

Joining Viglietti on stage for the three-hour performance will be Omara Portuondo (Cuba), Pablo Nuevo (Ecuador), Cecilia Todd (Venezuela), Liliana Herrero and Raly Barrionuevo (Argentina) and Ricardo Flecha (Paraguay).

Also offering their art will be Braulio Lopez (Uruguay), Pancho Villa (Chile), the Cuban groups Buena Fe, Anonimo Consejo and Moncada, and vocalists Maria Victoria and Candido Fabre, among others.

Peruvian singer Marcela Perez, who will also perform, recalled that five years ago she felt the caudal of love that emerged from the event entitled “Todas las voces, todas”, with the presence of interpreters from the five continents, who expressed their appreciation for the Cuban leader’s example of loyalty and solidarity.

At that time, Marcela wrote a poem, the verses of which are included in today’s “Retrato de Fidel con Palomas,” one of the songs that participants to the serenade will enjoy.

The serenade, in which renowned Latin American intellectuals will also take part, will be broadcast live by Cuban television, as well as by the Radio Progreso and Radio Havana Cuba radio stations. (Cubaminrex-ACN)