• Submitted by: lena campos
• Arts and Culture
• 05 / 31 / 2012

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Concerts, lectures, changüí bongo competitions and the world longest changüí will encourage this festival, which begin on Wednesday in its hometown, the eastern province of Guantanamo.

  Distinguishes the event the Cuban bassist and composer Juan Formell, who took his first steps in music, in the orchestra of the late musician Elio Reve, precursor of the traditional rhythm that swept Cuba and the world.

In addition to the expected concerts, the festival will celebrate the world's longest changüí with 40 Cuban groups that will make that music sound continuously for 24 hours, starting next June 2.

Dancers will enjoy concerts of Juan Formell and Los Van Van, who will share the stage for the first time in that locality with the hosts of the event, the orchestra of Elito Revé.

The program, devoted to the theoretical meetings, includes a symposium on the origin and evolution of changüí, by musicologists and specialists.

Founded in 2006, the festival has as its main goals to disseminate traditional music from Guantanamo, a region with significant contributions to the history and culture of Cuba and the Caribbean.