Silvio Rodríguez holds transcendent concert on the steps of the University of Havana to launch Latin American tour

Photos via Estudios Revolución

By Alina Perera Robbio, translated from the Spanish

Regardless of a music expert's evaluation, personal song preferences, or even the artist's own thoughts, it must be acknowledged that the concert Silvio Rodríguez held this Friday night on the steps of the University of Havana was a remarkable human experience.

The event went far beyond expectations, ultimately becoming illuminated by cell phone lights and the enthusiasm and loyalty of an audience that included women and men of all ages from all the various regions, as well as girls, boys, and adolescents.

What I want to say is that seeing Silvio and singing his songs, during a period when civilization is enduring hardships, and amidst the challenging times Cuba faces, felt like reconnecting with the uplifting and the beautiful. It was a return to an era of poetry and insight that remains alive—an era that endures because Silvio, for instance, stands as one of the pillars and purest symbols of that time.

What occurred on the Staircase marked the first big step of a tour that the singer-songwriter will undertake across five Latin American countries: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, and Colombia. This tour will span from late September to early November 2025. The emotional aspect is that it began in Havana: the Havana of Silvio's Casa de las Américas; the city of his cherished Haydée Santamaría; the city of his women suns; the city of his friends and dreams. It is the Havana of a Cuba that counts the legendary troubadour among its greatest prides.

The enigmatic, tranquil, and evocative Silvio captivated the stage with a variety of songs. It was as though one Silvio gave rise to many others. The performance began with a tribute to José Martí and the wealth of truths that could fit on a hummingbird's wing. Song after song followed, with many in the crowd singing along amidst a sea of posters and flags. A magical moment unfolded when the beloved and oft-sung tunes, which serve as anthems for millions, graced the stage like pieces of gold.

Something resonated deeply with the audience when Silvio performed "Créeme" by Vicente Feliú, "Te perdono" by Noel Nicola, or "Yolanda" by Pablo Milanés. A profound emotion was stirred when the poet paid tribute to another poet, Luis Rogelio Nogueras, who in 1979 penned poignant verses after visiting the Auschwitz death camp near Krakow, Poland, asking how the victims, particularly Jews, could ever forget "the mist of hell."

Silvio remembered the poem about the martyrdom of the Palestinian people. Between songs, he also took the opportunity to honor humble individuals who are no longer with us, as well as friends like Pepe Mujica, the wise former President of Uruguay who bravely battled a debilitating illness.

The remarkable aspect of the concert was its ability to evoke the essence of love and life, which holds onto belief as opposed to a desire for possessions. Silvio performed "Venga la esperanza," and the audience joined in, singing passionately with him. He had to sing "Ojalá," as the crowd fervently requested it. Another highlight was the song "El Necio," where many joined in, declaring they will die as they have lived.

A large number of young people were gathered on the Staircase, which a colleague describes as "the greatest there is." For many who had already moved beyond their student days, it felt like a return to their university years. Among them, blending in like any other student, was the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. Standing with the crowd and accompanied by his partner Lis, he experienced the concert's emotions from start to finish.

It was an unforgettable Friday night. The sky was devoid of stars, as if they had descended upon the Staircase. Beyond just a timely or formal gathering, many had come together there to experience the troubadour's song, which told of the Age giving birth to humanity from a heart.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC