Art and Music Showcase African Heritage in Cuba and the U.S.

Voces Negras perform at USINT’s Black History Month celebration. February 15, 2011

On Tuesday, February 15, USINT Chief of Mission Jonathan Farrar and Mrs. Terry Farrar hosted a reception at their residence to launch an exhibition of works reflecting African influences by Cuban and American artists.  Performances by two Cuban musical groups added pizzazz to a lively evening: "Voces Negras" enchanted their audience with renditions of African-American spirituals and other favorites;  while "Grupo Vocale Baobab" provided a musical tour of Cuban rhythms with African influences

The art exhibition includes works by contemporary Cuban and American artists, among them Manuel Mendive, Eduardo Roca (Choco), Luis Antonio Espinosa, Juan Roberto Diago, Magda Pons-Campos and Natalia Bolivar.  The pieces on exhibit range from paintings and sculptures to digital images and mixed media works, and represent a variety of techniques, styles and themes.  Following the reception at the Chief of Mission's residence, the exhibition moves to the U.S. Interests Section, where it will be on display through March 25, 2011.

Black History Month is celebrated annually during the month of February across towns and cities in the United States.  Black History Month honors the struggles and triumphs of millions of African American citizens over the most devastating obstacles - slavery, prejudice, poverty - as well as their contributions to the nation's cultural and political life.  Black History Month was the inspiration of Carter G. Woodson, a noted scholar and historian, who instituted Negro History Week in 1926. He chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist Frederick Douglass.  The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation's bicentennial.  Then-President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

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