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The Chief of Mission of the United States in Cuba, Mike Hammer, attended a commemorative mass this Tuesday for the centenary of Celia Cruz's birth, held at the Parish of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre in Centro Habana, with the presence of artists, diplomats, and devotees paying tribute to the Queen of Salsa, an icon of Cuban culture and a symbol of freedom for millions of people.
The diplomat attended the religious service and expressed to the press that it was “an honor to recognize Celia Cruz, an emblematic Cuban figure who made great contributions not only to the United States but to all of humanity. Her wish was to see a free Cuba, a wish we share.”
The U.S. Embassy in Havana shared on its social media images of the event with the message “#Sugar #100YearsWithCelia”, highlighting the historical significance of the tribute.
Among the attendees were the singers Haila Mompié and Alain Pérez, as well as the reggaeton artist Yomil Hidalgo, who joined a gathering that combined faith, music, and memory, according to photos shared by the journalist Wilfredo Cancio Isla.
Glory to Celia, from Cuba and the world, wrote Cancio -a scholar of Celia's life and work- in his publication, where he captured the widespread sentiment of those present.
The mass, celebrated under the theme "United for Celia", took place in a atmosphere of respect and emotion, despite the political backdrop surrounding her figure.
Celia Cruz has been erased from official Cuban media since her exile in 1960 and her public support for the freedom of Cuba.
The religious event took place just days after the controversial cancellation of an art gala in tribute to Celia Cruz, organized by the group Teatro El Público and the Cuban Art Factory (FAC), which was abruptly suspended by order of the National Center of Popular Music.
In response, the FAC staged a symbolic action: an empty chair illuminated on stage with the message "Celia lives". That same spirit was carried today to the Temple of Charity, where faithful individuals and artists chanted her name and called for a "fairer and freer" Cuba.
Celia Cruz, who passed away in 2003 in exile without being able to return to her homeland, remains one of the most beloved figures among Cubans both on and off the island. Her voice, associated with joy, resilience, and Afro-Caribbean identity, transcended borders and censorship.
A hundred years after his birth, his cry “Sugar!” continues to resonate as a symbol of national identity.
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