Four Cubans came together to create a musical piece to defend religious freedom in Cuba and advocate for the government's respect for those who practice the Christian faith.
"Libres en fe" is the title of the song that premiered on YouTube, performed by Dayani Lozano, Lian Marrero, Néstor Alejandro Cordero Tobar (Nesty The Producer), and Leo S.
The video, directed by Carlos Jesús Martínez Chávez, visually conveys what many believers consider to be a disrespectful act, but they do not speak out due to fear.
"The lack of freedoms is something that religious groups on the island endure, and most Cubans are unaware of it," the young filmmaker stated to CiberCuba.
Nesty The Producer shared that the topic arose after a discussion among the group, all young Christians, about the importance of defending the truth and calling out what they believe is wrong. Therefore, they viewed Díaz-Canel's meeting in August with religious representatives as a sham.
"We made it very clear in the song: the Council of Churches of Cuba does not represent us, does not reflect our interests, nor advocates for our issues, which are many. Something isn't right when an institution meant to represent a faith aligns solely with political ideologies," she pointed out.
The young Cuban stated that he enjoyed the experience from the very beginning and that with a clear understanding of the ideas they wanted to express, he was able to complete the beat's demo in just a couple of days.
“Then we sat down to organize the structure, and each person wrote their part and recorded their vocals,” he said, affirming that the experience was a blessing.
When asked about the artistic creation process that the team underwent, Nesty described the final result as impressive.
"I remember that when Lian went to record his part, Dayani had just sent me hers: We put it together in the track, and when we listened to it, he got goosebumps from head to toe, and my sister cried. It was really beautiful to see how what we expressed resonated with our emotions," he emphasized.
For Lian Marrero, there are no words to describe the experience and the way so many feelings emerged during the creative process.
"In Cuba, the church experiences a reality that differs from what is portrayed on television. I have been a Christian for over 15 years and have closely witnessed the summons from the Party to my pastors or the eviction orders. That’s why I considered the opportunity to speak out a blessing, even knowing the risks involved," he added.
Although it's uncommon to hear Christian music with a focus on social protest, we at CiberCuba asked the three young Cubans if this could be the seed of something much greater.
"Indeed, it is not common, and we pray that this project helps to remove the blindfold from many. If we achieve that and bring greater visibility to all the brothers and sisters who suffer harassment, threats, and any form of coercion, we will have accomplished our goal," said Marrero.
For his part, Cordero Tobar made it clear that they are not inviting the church to do anything specific, but rather appealing to each individual's conscience to act as they see fit.
"I believe the greatest achievement would be for people to identify with what we say and join our cause, because as the saying goes, 'a single stick does not make a bundle,' and denouncing wrongdoing should be part of our daily lives," he confessed.
For this young man, who also works as a barber in Havana, people can become better if they set aside their pride. Although it is not common to hear Christian themes in this style, it is part of the message they promote about mutual respect.
"The Bible calls us to rejoice with those who rejoice and to mourn with those who mourn, and I deeply believe that this is part of the great commission; it is impossible to remain silent in the face of injustice. If you see your brother suffering, it is also your suffering," he added.
For his part, Martínez Chávez made it clear while directing the music video that the message is directed not only at the Cuban government but also at a nation that is unaware of the church's struggles, and to the congregation that needs to awaken.
"It is not unreasonable to demand a freedom that allows you to fulfill your role in society without fear of having your bank accounts frozen, your temple demolished, or the regulation of pastors, among other things. We hope that others will find ways to portray the Cuban reality through their art and the suffering that is occurring. It is time for art to be more than just entertainment; it should reflect a people silenced by fears, intimidation, and threats," he concluded.
Each of them, before performing the musical piece, engaged in personal projects that blend their passion for Christ with a commitment to society.
Martínez Chávez, alongside independent journalist Yoe Suárez, created a series of videos available on YouTube focused on religious freedom. This led to the idea of reaching out to other performers to bring this topic to life, which has currently surpassed one thousand views online.
Lian Marrero dedicated himself to creating the podcast "La Descarga radioshow" before the coronavirus pandemic emerged. This endeavor arose from the lack of exposure for Christian art in Cuba, featuring interviews and discussions to promote the experiences of believers on the island.
Filed under: