Taking advantage of the date of April 12th, the day on which this emblematic group from Camaguey was created, I would like to dedicate this article to you, since Camagua is already eleven years old! What if time passes? Incredibly so it is…

Since the 90s of the last century, when he, Fernando Medrano Vireya, directed the Grupo Maraguán of the University of Camagüey, a group belonging to the movement of amateur artists, we have been linked, and the working relationship was strengthened until we managed to maintain a very good friendship that has survived to this day.

At that time, this talented teacher and excellent artist, participated in all the contests of the genre that were held inside and outside the country, and like now, the prizes were sure, managing to be also, like now-from my humble opinion- one of the best Cuban groups.

Making history

I have many memories and anecdotes with them, perhaps I couldn’t do them all for reasons of space, but there is at least one, which I always see them, especially when they put on the play where they pay homage to the dance La Cinta, from the group carrier of the Jamaican culture of the Baraguá Municipality of the sister province of Ciego de Ávila.

It makes me happy, because whoever has enjoyed it knows that there is a part where they weave a braid with ribbons through a choreography where men and women intertwine forming a true race on the scene, that if it were not for the brilliant mastery with which they perform they could fall and of course, even completely discredit the show.

Well, yes, regularly Aurora, Medrano’s mother, who unfortunately has died, and with whom I also had a beautiful friendship, went to each setting of the group and both she and I suffered from that moment of weaving the braid, because the atmosphere was certainly tense, since both the lights and the music were focused on that virtuosity, and the tension of the spectators is evident until that climax passes and they can even be heard in the theater, in addition to the standing ovation, the breathing of more than one who, like that good lady and I, unloaded.

Immediate reality

Between December 17th and 19th, the Camagua Folk Dance Festival took place, sponsored by this Company, which was attended not only by the people of Camagüey, but by the entire world as it is a virtual festival, the second that is already celebrated and where several countries participated, demonstrating not only the solidity of this group but also the genius of that man who through the years has delivered and continues to do so, with the quality that characterizes him, the purest of his artistic creation to dance and art in general.

That is why my congratulations to him as a leader, and to his people, who against all odds have always made it possible for art to continue to be a priority for human beings and have overcome any barrier to be part of culture, which truly saves us.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García