The Casa de la Música Habana, an iconic cultural venue under the Empresa de Grabaciones y Ediciones Musicales (EGREM), issued an official statement in which it rejected a "negative incident" that occurred during one of its performances on Monday, December 16.
The incident occurred when an artist from the urban genre, identified on social media as "Dícelo Were", climbed onto the stage without permission and, after grabbing the microphone, used obscene language in front of the audience, according to a statement from the venue on Facebook.
According to witnesses, the singer improvised a song with offensive expressions such as "everyone with their... out," causing outrage among the attendees.
The episode was recorded by a spectator and quickly circulated on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, triggering a wave of criticism from Cuban artists and intellectuals, who expressed their discontent and filed complaints with various institutional profiles of the country's cultural system, the entity’s statement highlights.
The incident occurred on a night when popular artists #Nivel21 and Wildey were scheduled to perform, with an entry fee of 1500 Cuban pesos as part of the New Year's celebrations. Apparently, the urban singer's impromptu performance was not part of the official lineup.
In its official statement, Casa de la Música Habana, located on Galiano Street, expressed its condemnation of the act and reaffirmed its commitment to a policy of "zero tolerance towards behaviors that do not align with the respectful and creative essence of Cuban popular music."
"We categorically reject these displays of vulgarity and disrespect, which do not reflect the values inherent to our cultural identity," stated the management of the venue. They also indicated that administrative measures have been taken against both the artist and the employees responsible for the order and operation of the facility.
EGREM assured that it will continue to provide space for diverse genres, as long as artists respect the established guidelines that align with Cuban cultural policy.
Additionally, he assured that this isolated incident does not reflect the daily conduct of the institution nor its commitment to the quality of the shows offered in that space.
However, this note has sparked debate among the facility's clients, who question, "Where were the workers and management? Did the 'artist' come in and sing when no one was at the institution? Who allowed him to bark, I mean, sing? Couldn't anyone simply turn off the microphone and get the 'artist' off the stage?"
Others claim that the apology note was issued simply because people protested and the video of the incident went viral on social media.
Some also recalled when Emilio Frías (El niño y la verdad) wanted to sing the song "Cambio" — about the migration crisis in Cuba — but the venue did not allow it.
The censorship against El Niño y La Verdad took place on September 10, 2022, at the Casa de la Música de Galiano in Havana. As the artist was preparing to sing their new song, the venue's management interrupted the performance, turned on the lights, and forced the group's sound engineer out of the establishment.
Images of the unpleasant incident spread across social media. Cuban artists and supporters of the orchestra expressed their support for Frías and condemned the repression by the Cuban state against those who hold a critical stance towards its governance.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Incident at the House of Music in Havana and Censorship in Cuba
What happened in the incident at Casa de la Música Habana involving the artist "Dícelo Were"? (Casa de la Música Incident)
The artist "Dícelo Were" took the stage without permission during an event at the Casa de la Música Habana and used obscene language, which sparked outrage among the audience and a wave of criticism on social media. The cultural venue released a statement condemning this behavior and reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy towards acts of vulgarity.
What measures did Casa de la Música Habana take after the incident with "Dícelo Were"? (Measures Casa de la Música)
The Casa de la Música Habana announced that it has taken administrative measures both with the artist involved and the employees responsible for maintaining order and the proper functioning of the venue. Additionally, they reaffirmed their commitment to upholding respect at their events and assured that they will continue to promote a cultural policy aligned with the values of popular Cuban music.
How is the incident at the Casa de la Música related to censorship in Cuba? (Censorship in Cuba)
The incident at the Casa de la Música and other recent events, such as the censorship of the film "Matar a un hombre," reflect a pattern of control and censorship by the Cuban regime toward artistic expressions that are deemed inappropriate or critical. These acts of censorship spark discussions about the lack of freedom and cultural repression in the country.
What criticisms has the Casa de la Música faced for its handling of the incident with "Dícelo Were"? (Criticism of Casa de la Música)
The Casa de la Música Habana has faced criticism for its handling of the incident, with some questioning the effectiveness of its security and why action was not taken immediately to stop the unauthorized artist. They have also pointed out that the public apology may have been made only due to pressure from social media backlash.
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