Emiliano Sardiñas Copello

He is a Cuban improviser, extemporaneous poet, and décima specialist. He has worked in tonadas, seguidillas, controversias, décimas of compliments, theatrical pieces and humorous monologues. He holds several recognitions for his performances at numerous national and international events. He is a charismatic, affable, talkative man and sharp in his reflections, not lacking in humor.

Emiliano was born in Realengo 18, Songo - La Maya, Santiago de Cuba. There he completed his primary education, during which he was involved in cultural activities participating in different festivals as a pioneer.

He completed secondary education at the Juan Gualberto Gómez and Andrés Olano schools in the municipality of Jagüey Grande and technical professional education at the Politécnico Julio Padrón Armenteros in the municipality of Colón, province of Matanzas.

Hobbies
In his free time he enjoys reading and practicing sports. He is part of the Equipo de las Estrellas, composed of Cuban artists who are baseball enthusiasts, where he performs as a first baseman and cleanup hitter.

Poetic Influence
His professional training was influenced by prominent figures in Cuban rural décima with whom he has shared stages as poets:

Adolfo Alfonso
Alexis Díaz Pimienta
Tomasita Quiala
Omar Mirabal
Jesusito Rodríguez
Vitalia Figueroa
Farita Montesinos
Fefita Hernández.

Trajectory
His first foray as a décima specialist took place in Guanabacoa, but his true beginning was in 1986, in Alquízar, at the age of 21, from which date his career developed, first as an amateur and later professionally. In 1989 he began working as a professional improvising poet at the Provincial Music Company Antonio María Romeo in Havana.

He is a member of the National Union of Cuban Writers and Artists (UNEAC) and of the Provincial and National Committees of

The poet with the backpack‎
the Culture Union in Havana. On repeated occasions he has been a delegate to the Congress of Culture and an invited delegate to the Congress of the Union of Communist Youth (UJC).

He works as a poet for Cuban radio and television. He has participated in national and international events including: The Eduardo Saborit Rural Music Festival, The National Festival of Child Improvisers in Havana, The Cucalambeana Festival, Open Forums, Music Festival in Medellín, Iberoamerican Décima Festival, Festival of the Décima and Improvised Verse in Argentina and the Festival of Versifiers in Italy. On his trips to numerous countries such as Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Argentina and Venezuela, he has taught courses and workshops on Iberoamerican Oral Art.

Outstanding Cuban personalities have been praised in his poems, including "Of Love and Revolution" dedicated to Vilma Espín.

Media and press outlets from different countries have described Emiliano as one of the greatest exponents of the Cuban rural genre, highlighting his versatility, charisma and ability to improvise.

The poet with the backpack
The conductor of the Cuban television program Palmas y Cañas, Fernando Guardado, baptized him with this pseudonym that took root among his colleagues and acquaintances. It is due to a personal anecdote in which he lost the transportation that would take the participants to an activity in Baracoa, the poet sets out with his backpack on his shoulder to the highway, managing to arrive first despite the distance. His popularity makes it easy for him to travel to different places as he is recognized by his admirers, who transport him, enabling him to reach his destination quickly.

Publications
In the year 2000 his book "Pages on the Décima" was published, with engravings by visual artist Norma Borrilla. Some of his stanzas have been included in several titles by colleagues and friends, such as:

Theory of Improvisation, essay by Alexis Díaz Pimienta.
The Light of Your Ten Stars. Memoirs of the Iberoamerican Décima Festival by Mayra Hernández Menéndez, 1997
That I Fell Under the Night. Panorama of Erotic Décima in Cuba, presented at the XIII International Book Fair and This Prison of Pure Air. Panorama of Cuban Poet-Décima Specialists in the Twentieth Century, 2005, both anthologies by Waldo González López.

Awards and Distinctions
Prize for Popularity, provincial contest Sung Décima Francisco Otero. Sponsored by UNEAC and ICAIC. Cienfuegos, 1990
Decimante Prize. Center for Promotion of Rural Music "Casa Naborí". Matanzas 1994
Prize for Improvisation at the Iberoamerican Décima Festival
Prize for Improvisation of La Magdalena, Mexico
National Vanguard Medal.
Gold and silver medals from the Cucalambeana Festival
Diploma of "Parrandero", Colombia. 1997
Diploma of "Poet" from the Association of Colombian Poets "ASOVACOL", Music Festival, Medellín, Colombia, 1997.
International Recognition for his participation in the VII Meeting of Décima Specialists at Finca Martha Elena. Tapalapan, municipality of Santiago de Tuxtla, Veracruz, Mexico. 2000.
Prize at the Festival of the Décima and Improvised Verse, Tandil, Argentina, 2000
Recognition for his performance at the XI Anniversary of the Casa de Cultura of Poza Rica. Hidalgo, Veracruz, Mexico. 2000.
Distinguished Guest of Veracruz, Mexico, 2000.
Prize at the Festival of Versifiers, Italy, 2000.
Trovo Festivals, Las Alpujarras, Andalusia, Spain.
Recognition from the Iberian Center of the Décima and Improvised Verse. I Youth Meeting of Improvisers. City of Havana, 2002.
Recognition for his participation in the XIV International Festival of Popular Music Benny Moré, Cuba, 2003.
Recognition from the Provincial Directorate of Culture and the Music Center "Antonio María Romeu" for his fruitful artistic career and performance, Cuba, 2003.
Recognition from the Iberoamerican House of the Décima, for his contribution to the development of the Décima Gatherings. Las Tunas, 2003.
Recognition for his contribution to the activities of May 1st, granted by the General Secretary of the CTC. City of Havana, 2004.
Recognition from the Provincial Bureau of ANAP and the Provincial Center and House of Culture in Cienfuegos for his outstanding participation in the cultivation of the most authentic rural music. 2005.
Distinction for National Culture, Cuba, 2017