Artists, diplomats and faithful gathered at the parish to pay tribute to the Guarachera de Cuba on its centenary.
14ymedio, Darío Hernández, Havana, October 21, 2025 / At the parish of Our Lady of Charity of Cobre, in the heart of Centro Habana, the name of Celia Cruz was heard, despite the censorship the Cuban regime has unleashed against other tributes on the island for her centennial, which falls this Tuesday. La Guarachera de Cuba symbolically returned to the island that banished her from official memory, and she did so with music, faith, and a gesture of defiance against the silence imposed for decades.
A framed photo of the smiling, sequined Guarachera de Cuba presided over the altar of the church, located on Salud Street between Manrique and Campanario Streets, where 14ymedio approached. At her feet were white flowers and lit candles. In the pews, artists, worshippers, and diplomats shared the same space.
Parish priest Ariel Suárez, in a calm but firm tone, reminded everyone that “faith knows no censorship.” His words were met with a murmur of approval from the audience. “This Mass was a request from Cuban artists who wanted to pay tribute to a woman who brought Cuba’s name to the world,” he added, while the image of Our Lady of Charity—the same one to whom the performer was a devotee—dominated the back of the church.
Among those present, Mike Hammer, the chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, did not go unnoticed. “It is an honor to commemorate the life of Celia Cruz here, in her homeland,” he said after the Mass. “She wanted freedom for the Cuban people, and that desire lives on in her legacy.”
At his side, artists such as Alain Pérez and Haila María Mompié shared memories and gratitude. Pérez, who worked with the singer on international stages, didn’t hide his emotion: “Celia was pure light, an ambassador of our culture. Her love for Cuba never faded, not even when it was forbidden.”
The musician also lamented that, even today, tributes to the singer continue to run into institutional vetoes. “I would have loved to see all the Cuban artists gathered here, without fear, to sing to her. I feel sorry for them, because they’re missing out on that blessing,” the artist said, seeing that many pews in the parish church remained empty, a fear that still persists among Cubans.
Mompié, dressed in white, asserted that she carried “Celia’s legacy like a treasure.” The singer released a song in her honor, “Mi vida es cantar” [My life is to sing], a title that evokes the Queen of Salsa’s philosophy of life. “Celia was Caridad [charity]—her middle name—and this temple, dedicated to the Virgin, is the perfect place to remember her. Her spirit is here today,” she added.
The Mass took place in a peaceful atmosphere, although political tension hung over the prayers. Outside, several curious onlookers paused to watch from the sidewalk; inside, the timbre of the Queen of Salsa’s voice—banned from Cuban radio and television for half a century—seemed to fill the air.
Days earlier, the National Center for Popular Music had canceled a theatrical performance dedicated to the artist by the El Público company, scheduled at the Cuban Art Factory. The decision sparked a wave of outrage among musicians and citizens, who denounced the censorship as an act of cultural pettiness.
In response, the FAC performed a symbolic gesture: an empty armchair was lit up on the stage and an hour of silence followed by the music of Celia Cruz. “Celia lives,” read the letters of light. That same message was repeated again at the Mass, now transformed into a prayer: Celia lives in the hearts of her people.
The young urban musician Yomil showed off his forearm tattoo of Celia’s face. “She’s the only artist I have on my skin. She represents the best of us: talent, joy, and resilience,” he told the media. “No censorship can stop that.”
Celia Cruz, who died in 2003 in New Jersey, was never able to return to Cuba. Her last wish—to be buried on the island—was also not fulfilled. However, her voice continued to reach us through informal channels, on cassettes, CDs brought back from exile, and family memoirs.
The Mass concluded with prolonged applause. There were no political speeches or slogans, but the meaning was evident. “Celia, Cuba embraces you,” was heard from the pews, while the first chords of “Life is a Carnival” quietly played. Some sang along, others wept.
A mass in Havana commemorates Celia Cruz on her centenary / 14ymedio
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