It is the radio, even with new inventions due to technological development, an unconditional friend. At home, at work or thanks to the comfort of headphones while doing any task; this means of communication complements our daily life with sounds.

In Camagüey, as in the rest of the country, the radio occupies an important place in the daily life of many families. This has been the case since 1924. On January 16th, the radio history of the province began with 7AZ at the Plaza Hotel.

This is corroborated by Oscar Viñas Ortiz, a man who is passionate about radio and, consequently, has dedicated himself to its study and research to the point of sharing his knowledge in two texts: “The History of Radio in Camagüey 1922-1940″, published by Ácana publishing house and Cuban Broadcasters for Unity in the Americas”, presented at the 2020 International Book Fair and with a prologue by Edel Morales.

“We, people from Camagüey had the satisfaction of witnessing the creation of the first broadcasting radio station in the interior of the Republic”, explains Viñas.

This man from Camagüey, awarded the Golden Microphone by the Chamber of Professional Announcers of Guatemala, also tells about one of the experiences that he treasures and places the territory in a top place when it comes to Cuban radio.

Viñas was at the First National Congress of Announcers, presented a paper related to the constitution of the association of these professionals in the country and won the first prize and the possibility of participating in an Ibero-American meeting, held in Cuba.

He also refers that the locution is another of the ways that make the radio special. The opportunity to participate in several events at the national and international level gives him a necessary voice to tell about the radio achievements of the city and to look for where, from Camagüey, we were forerunners.

He was also Methodological Provincial Subdirector of Radio Cadena Agramonte, a station founded in 1957 and that to this day covers the current provincial events.

Before, other stations were known in the 1950s such as Radio Suaritos, which changed hands in 1951 and began to be called Radio Camagüey.

Oscar Viñas Ortiz does not stop documenting the radio: photos, writings, testimonies and his personal experiences enrich the pride of a people who know him to be part of the history of radio in Camagüey, Cuba.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García