Centro Pablo Calls for "A Song for Teresita" Contest

September 19, 2019

Teresita Fernández was a troubadour, narrator, and pedagogue, known as the greatest songstress for being the most prominent singer-songwriter in musical creation for Cuban children of several generations. Many of her compositions constitute hymns to love and Cubanness. The Pablo de la Torriente Brau Cultural Center joins in remembering and honoring this Cuban artist with the call for the contest "A Song for Teresita."

In the competition, all troubadours and female troubadours of Cuban nationality, with no age limit, residing in Cuba, may participate. Each author may submit as many proposals as they deem appropriate, provided that the songs address, in a free and creative way, themes inspired by the values left by Teresita Fernández's work and the fundamental characteristics of her songs such as childhood, love, and Cuban identity.

Each contestant must submit the song text, printed and on digital CD format, in addition, a demo of the song ―conceived to be performed with voice and guitar― recorded on CD or bring it on a flash drive directly to the Pablo Center headquarters; a summary of the troubadour's curriculum, with a length not exceeding two pages, and the contestant's information: name, ID card number, telephone, address, and email.

The jury, which will be made up of renowned figures in trovador music, poetry, and criticism, will award three prizes and may recommend other songs that would receive an Honorable Mention. The first place winner will receive 4,000 Cuban pesos and an invitation to perform a special presentation, within the activities for the 21st anniversary of "A guitarra Limpia" and in the context of activities honoring the 500 years of La Villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana. The second and third prize winners will receive 2,000 and 1,000 pesos respectively.

The call began on June 12 and will close on October 15. The Pablo Center will disseminate through its media (radio program, website, social networks) the winning song and others that the Jury has recommended.

Proposals must be submitted to the Pablo de la Torriente Brau Cultural Center, located at Calle Muralla No. 63, La Habana Vieja, Ciudad de La Habana.

Teresita Fernández's work encompasses children's songs and a rich repertoire inspired by the homeland, nature, love, and which is supported by the musicalization of paradigmatic works by Latin American authors such as the Rondas by Gabriela Mistral or the Ismaelillo by José Martí.