The concert by singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez this Friday at the steps of the University of Havana served as a venue for attendees to shout "Freedom," but for Palestine, in the presence of the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and his wife, Lis Cuesta.
Free Palestine, free Palestine!, chanted several attendees during the evening dedicated to the University Student Federation (FEU), according to posts on social media, such as those by the opposition figure Eliecer Ávila.
The presentation, heavily guarded and partially broadcast by state-run channels, took place in the context of an energy crisis, food and water shortages, and recent protests in Santiago de Cuba, Gibara, and neighborhoods in Havana, where there have been massive arrests of peaceful demonstrators.
Now many Cubans on social media are questioning why, despite this context, those who participated in the event were unable to raise their voices to demand structural changes on the island.
After the event, Díaz-Canel posted a message on the social network X (formerly Twitter), describing the night as a "poetic pause before resuming the challenging everyday life", a remark that also drew harsh criticism from Cubans facing power outages of over 20 hours and a lack of basic services.
The irony of his message became even more evident when, just hours before the concert, the president himself and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero were leading an emergency meeting regarding the crisis of the national electroenergetic system (SEN) and the collapse of the water supply.
During the meeting, it was acknowledged that the SEN is going through a "critical moment" and that over 50% of the issues with water supply are directly caused by a lack of electricity. However, no concrete solutions were announced, only calls for "resistance" and "revolutionary vigilance."
Silvio Rodríguez had announced that he would perform a concert on September 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the steps of the University of Havana (UH), dedicated to the students who led the protests against the rate hike by the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA) last June.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Silvio Rodríguez Concert in Havana and the Situation in Cuba
What happened at Silvio Rodríguez's concert in Havana?
During Silvio Rodríguez's concert at the steps of the University of Havana, the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and his wife, Lis Cuesta, were in attendance, while the audience called for freedom for Palestine. The event took place against a backdrop of energy crisis and shortage of basic resources in Cuba, which led to criticism regarding the attendees' inability to demand structural changes on the island.
Why did Miguel Díaz-Canel's presence at the concert generate criticism?
Díaz-Canel's attendance at the concert was seen as a disconnection from the reality faced by the Cuban people, given that the same day the serious energy crisis and water supply issues on the island were being discussed. His remark about a "poetic pause" provoked outrage, as many Cubans are suffering from blackouts and a shortage of basic services.
What role did Silvio Rodríguez play in the context of the protests against ETECSA?
Silvio Rodríguez dedicated the concert to the students who protested against the increase in ETECSA fees, showing support for their demands. Previously, he had criticized the regime for its handling of the crisis and called for better dialogue and well-being for the Cuban people.
How is the energy situation related to the concert of Silvio Rodríguez?
The concert took place amidst an energy crisis in Cuba, with blackouts lasting over 20 hours. The emergency meeting led by Díaz-Canel and Marrero to discuss the electrical crisis did not provide concrete solutions, which contrasted with the celebration of the musical event and heightened criticisms of the government.
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