Censorship can manifest in many ways, but none are as blatant as the deliberate act of forgetting. Recently, Granma, the official newspaper of Cuba, published an article about the history of the Sonora Matancera without acknowledging one of its most legendary voices: Celia Cruz. This glaring omission is not an accident; it is part of a longstanding practice of erasing Cruz from official narratives, as highlighted by music researcher Rosa Marquetti on social media. Through a Facebook post, Marquetti pointed out the absurdity of honoring the Sonora Matancera while neglecting the very artists who immortalized it. "If they truly wanted the younger generations to understand the legacy of Sonora, they would start by naming its musicians and, crucially, its singers," she asserted.
Even after more than six decades since her exile, Celia Cruz remains a sensitive subject for the Cuban regime. Her departure from the island in 1960 and her outspoken criticism of the government turned her into a taboo figure in state-controlled media. The absence of her name in the Granma article is not a mere oversight but rather a continuation of the censorship policy aimed at erasing her influence from the collective memory.
Ironically, while Cuba denies her official recognition, the world celebrates the centennial of the singer. From New York to Miami, and across Spain and Latin America, various tributes, exhibitions, and concerts have been organized in her honor. "The absurdity of censorship reaches ridiculous levels. Wake up and correct the mistakes, abandon arrogance," Marquetti wrote.
The attempt to diminish her legacy is not only futile but underscores the irrationality of censorship. Celia Cruz, who passed away in New Jersey on July 16, 2003, at the age of 77, does not need an article in Granma to be remembered. Her voice lives on in every rendition of "Quimbara" and "La vida es un carnaval," and her legacy is celebrated worldwide.
Exploring the Legacy and Censorship of Celia Cruz
Why was Celia Cruz omitted from the Granma article about Sonora Matancera?
Celia Cruz was omitted as part of Cuba's ongoing censorship policy, which seeks to erase her from the official narrative due to her opposition to the regime and her departure from the island in 1960.
How has the world celebrated Celia Cruz despite the censorship in Cuba?
Globally, the centennial of Celia Cruz has been marked with tributes, exhibitions, and concerts in places like New York, Miami, Spain, and Latin America, celebrating her enduring impact on music.