Admirers of the life and work of the Cuban singer Celia Cruz (1925-2003) gathered on July 16 in New York to pay tribute to the iconic "Guarachera of Cuba" on the 21st anniversary of her death.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared details about this event on Facebook, coordinated by the "Cubanos Libres" groups from Florida, Washington DC, and New York.
The gathering was attended by fans of Celia Cruz from Ecuador, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. They reminisced about the reasons that make her a universal artist and enjoyed her music there.
In her mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York, they left the favorite flowers of the Queen of Salsa. "Celia Cruz lives and will live on," said Mayeta emotionally in her post about the tribute.
Celia Cruz was born in Havana and trained as an artist in Cuba, but she achieved the pinnacle of her professional career and international fame far from her island.
In 1960, she was banned by Fidel Castro's government, which condemned her to live in exile forever. She settled in the United States and became an tireless advocate for Cuba's freedom.
Her music, a powerful blend of salsa and Cuban son, transcended borders, making her an iconic figure in Latin culture.
This tribute highlights not only its musical impact but also its cultural and political significance.
Through her songs and her steadfast stance against the Cuban regime, Celia Cruz continues to be an inspiration for many, and her grave remains a pilgrimage site for her followers.
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