The Cuban violinist Yilian Cañizares receives the 'Radiant Musician of the World' award in Switzerland

September 22, 2021

Cuban violinist and singer Yilian Cañizares, who has resided in Switzerland for more than 20 years, received the award "Radiant Musician of the World" as part of the 2021 Swiss Music Awards.

A small excerpt from my solo performance yesterday at the Swiss music awards ceremony. Playing my electric violin in public for the first time #gewa 🎻🎻 pic.twitter.com/IVPylccePR

— yilian canizares (@yiliancanizares) September 18, 2021

"I have never made music with the goal of winning any award, but I have to say that this recognition has stirred my heart. Thank you to the jury of Schweizer Musikpreise Prix suisses de musique Premi svizzeri di musica for giving me this award. It is very good to know that I am accepted and loved as an ambassador of Swiss music. This means that we are building a country open to the world, plural and where difference is accepted for what it is: a wealth! ", Cañizares affirmed on her social networks.

The official website of the awards, presented last Friday, notes that Cañizares "combines Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz and classical music to create a cosmopolitan sound that transmits a message of love, freedom and unity".

Yilian Cañizares, a native of Havana, studied at the Manuel Saumell elementary music school and later at the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory. The artist won a violin scholarship in Caracas and subsequently deepened her classical training at the Fribourg conservatory.

In 2008 she founded the Ochumare ensemble with Cuban pianist Abel Marcel, Venezuelan double bassist David Brito and Swiss percussionist Cyril Régamey.

Last June Cañizares participated in a concert organized by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate World Oceans Day. On that occasion the artist paid tribute to Yemayá.