Omara Portuondo: "I wouldn't change anything about my life, but the world should be more equitable"

November 4, 2022

The legendary Cuban singer will attend today the presentation of the documentary 'Omara' at the In-Edit festival at Aribau Multicines, and will perform some songs

One of the highlights of the In-Edit music documentary festival program is Omara, the feature film directed by Hugo Pérez about the legendary Cuban singer Omara Portuondo (Havana, 1930).

The so-called filin bride (Havana, 1930) attended Thursday the Barcelona premiere of the film in Room 5 at Aribau Multicines (9 p.m.), where she performed some songs accompanied by a pianist.

The Cuban diva is 92 years old and continues to be fully active, performing wherever she is called.

I know it's a cliché, but what is filin for you?

It is a movement created by a group of young people, with harmonies, lyrics and performances full of feeling, hence its name.

How would you sum up the Omara documentary?

Well, everyone will draw their own conclusions. I can only say that the direction, script and execution were in charge of a very professional and dedicated team, that takes great care and affection in showing experiences and moments from my life.

You usually say you'll die on stage, but do you still enjoy it as much as when you started?

It's my way of living. I continue to enjoy it every time life allows me and the promoters do as well. They give me the opportunity to be with the public, and that's who I sing for.

And when you take the stage, what is your main priority? Has it always been the same?

My priority has always been to give my best, enjoying my work, so that the public receives it that way and enjoys it too.

From the countless collaborations you've done, which ones do you have the fondest memories of?

Each collaboration has been a different experience in my career. The work with María Bethania, from the recordings with her and the tour through Brazil, I hold that with great affection, but there have been so many, since the fifties, with the Cuarteto D'Aidas at Tropicana, with Nat King Cole, back then, until now, and now with Natalia Lafourcade, with whom I was this October 27th at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Changing the subject. How would you explain what the Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon was?

An unplanned phenomenon, that came out of nowhere. A record that became a hit, then a documentary that, like the record, was a great success and had a big impact on our music and, with them, long periods of world tours.

Until that rediscovery of Buena Vista, was something missing from your musical life?

Not for me.

Cuba today
Cuba at this moment is in a difficult situation; societies undergo changes and governments and their policies bring about those changes. What I do is sing."

You continue living in Havana in the 21st century. How do you see the city and Cuba in general now compared to past times?

Cuba at this moment is in a difficult situation; you cannot compare different times, societies undergo changes and governments and their policies bring about those changes. What I do is sing.

Even in the midst of the boom of Latin urban rhythms. Do you like them?

How wonderful! In life there's room for all tastes. It's a very current genre, especially followed by young people. The only thing is the very strong lyrics that I really don't like, but it's a great Latin urban achievement.

Is music sensual or is it not?

Music can be sensual, it all depends on who listens to it and what type of music it is.

What would you change from these more than ninety years of life?

I wouldn't change anything about my life. In general, that the world were more equitable, that there were no so much poverty, nor wars.