Cuban musician Descemer Bueno recently shared a video on Facebook, featuring himself alongside fellow Cubans performing in the streets of Málaga, Spain. In the video, he appeals to the public to support them: "Here I am with some Cubans playing in the streets of Málaga, making an honest living with dignity. Please support them if you see them."
The footage, lasting one minute and 31 seconds, captures a Cuban musician playing an acoustic guitar, its case open on the ground with coins and bills in sight. Bueno, dressed in black with a gray cap and sunglasses, interacts with him on a sidewalk alongside a typical ocher-colored building of southern Spain.
The Reality for Cuban Artists in Spain
This scene highlights a common reality for many Cuban artists who have emigrated to Spain in recent years. Lacking access to formal venues, numerous musicians turn to street performances as their sole means of livelihood.
Málaga, a tourist hotspot known for its high influx of visitors, is a prominent location where this activity is notable among the Cuban diaspora. According to preliminary data from Spain's National Institute of Statistics, there are approximately 500,000 Cubans throughout the country.
Descemer Bueno: A Voice for Freedom
Bueno, who is a renowned composer, bassist, and producer living in Spain, stands out as one of the most acclaimed figures of the Cuban artistic diaspora critical of the Havana regime. In 2021, he co-wrote "Patria y Vida," a protest anthem that became symbolic for the Cuban opposition, winning two Latin Grammy Awards that year: Best Song of the Year and Best Urban Song.
Upon receiving the award, Bueno dedicated it to his homeland, expressing his commitment: "For my country, for freedom of expression, for the freedom of Cubans."
The Cuban state media labeled the artists of "Patria y Vida" as "poor in spirit," and co-author Maykel Osorbo was imprisoned in May 2021 for his activism, preventing him from attending the Grammy ceremony.
The Struggle for Dignity in Exile
Bueno's gesture in bringing attention to these street musicians and urging support for them aligns with his continued advocacy for Cuban dignity in exile. The emigration of artists and musicians from the Island accelerated after the July 11, 2021 protests and the worsening economic crisis caused by 67 years of communist dictatorship, which has drained the country of talent and forced entire generations to seek livelihoods abroad.
Bueno remains actively engaged in Spain: in July 2023, he recorded the song "Después que Bailamos" in Madrid with Gente de Zona and continues to be a prominent voice for the Cuban community abroad.
His social media post, a straightforward and direct call to acknowledge the work of those who earn their bread with an instrument in hand, encapsulates the daily reality of thousands of Cubans living far from their homeland: the quest for dignity when the regime left them no other choice.
FAQs on Cuban Musicians in Spain
Why are Cuban musicians performing in the streets of Spain?
Many Cuban musicians perform in the streets of Spain due to the lack of access to formal performance venues and as a means to earn a living, given the difficult economic and political conditions in Cuba.
What impact did "Patria y Vida" have on the Cuban community?
"Patria y Vida" became an anthem for the Cuban opposition, symbolizing the struggle for freedom and human rights. It gained international recognition and won two Latin Grammy Awards, highlighting the Cuban community's fight against the oppressive regime.