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Silvio Rodríguez greeted in Peru by
cheers for Cuba
LIMA, Feb 20 (PL).—Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio
Rodríguez today affirmed that he was happy and moved
to be back to Peru after a 21-year absence which,
for him, was too long.
He made that brief statement to “Vivas!” for Cuba
and President Fidel Castro from hundreds of young
people waiting to welcome him at the Jorge Chávez
International Airport.
With the simplicity that characterizes him, Silvio
went over to the security barrier holding them back,
shook hands, expressed his thanks and even accepted
a letter from a group of young people, while
applauding with them.
He didn’t even appear to be tired after the long
flight from the island, as his smile was one of
total happiness and emotion.
“What can I say, only that I am very happy, very
moved at returning to Peru after so many years,” he
affirmed, recalling that he was last there in 1986,
when he took part in a Latin American cultural
encounter.
On his lengthy absence, he commented that it felt
excessive to him too and that, having barely
arrived, that he already felt he should come back
soon and more often.
In addition to representatives from the Cuban
embassy, he was also welcomed by hundreds of young
people, some of them having come from places as far
away as Huaycán, a barrio 20 kilometers from Lima.
Banners with Fidel’s face and slogans of solidarity
with Cuba and a thicket of Cuban flags completed
Silvio’s warm welcome to Lima.
The New Trova singer spent the rest of the day
relaxing and preparing for the concert he is giving
tomorrow in the Jockey Plaza auditorium, a huge
commercial center in Lima, which is one of the
artistic events of the year in Peru.
Tickets for the event have been sold out to Silvio
fans over three generations, who will all come
together in the magic of his songs.
The singer and poet is staying in Lima until Sunday,
although he is not giving any other performance, and
then travels to Chile, where he has a program of
three concerts.
Translated by Granma International |
