Rafael García Grasa

Advisor to musical and dance groups such as Maraguán and Camagua, he transmitted his knowledge about the popular and traditional culture of the Caribbean, especially its African and Haitian roots.

A graduate of the first promotions of art instructor schools in the country, in the 1960s.

The folklorist, composer and guitarist Rafael García Grasa, popularly known as "Papito", passed away at the age of 72 in his native city.

The affability, simplicity and sense of what is Camagüeyan distinguished his profile as a modest man who on various occasions assured that "I live proud of our culture".

During his artistic career, which spanned more than half a century, he shared with personalities of Cuban culture and other nations such as American actress Geraldine Leigh Chaplin.

He was a cultivator of good music, an appreciated guitarist wherever ballads, feeling or bolero filled spaces.

His presence at every festival of this latter genre, whether it took place in a Camagüey theater or in Havana, in peñas or famous cabarets, was essential to accompany the best Cuban or foreign voices.

But, if his work as an instrumentalist was transcendent, no less so was his work as a researcher of traditional popular culture, for which he deserved among the multiple recognitions he received the "Memoria Viva Prize" granted by the Juan Marinello Research Center corresponding to the year 2003, which is awarded to those personalities or artistic projects with outstanding work in preservation, rescue or revitalization, linked to heritage manifestations or genres whether of a spiritual or material character.

His name is constantly evoked in every theoretical event about these traditional topics convened because of the breadth and depth of his research, especially that related to the history of the emergence of the San Juan Camagüeyano carnival festivities, which led him to state: "(…) I live proud of our culture".

With more than half a century linked to art, he put his knowledge related to the roots of African origin that make up the great ajiaco of the Cuban nation.

Advisor to musical and dance groups such as Maraguán and Camagua, he freely socialized his knowledge about the popular and traditional culture of the region, especially its African and Haitian roots.

Through his collaborations with the local newspaper Adelante, he offered part of his research results on popular music, Ernesto Lecuona's visit to the territory and the traditions of San Juan Camagüeyano.

Founder of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), Papito García received several recognitions, including the Distinction for National Culture and the Raúl Gómez García Medal.