We Want Many Things More

"We Want Many Things More" / Rebeca Monzo
Posted on September 17, 2013

Thursday the 12th of this month everything was ready for the
presentation of the big concert, "dyed yellow" by suggestion of the
agent himself Rene, in the "Protestdrome," as the "Hill of Flags" is
popularly known, in front of the United States Interest Section. All was
previewed by the Ministry Culture, the Writers and Artists Union of Cuba
(UNEAC) and controlled by State Security.

The musical groups and artists that usually act in all the "so called
patriotics," had rehearsed and previously reported the musical numbers
that they would present. What no one could foresee is that in front of
his very well known and popular group, Interactive, a brave young man,
Robertico Carcasses, great improvisor, in the middle of that
well-rehearsed scheme, would give the discordant note, which would put
all the Nomenklatura on edge.

The moment arrived to perform the well known number Cubans for the
World, and Robertico, leader of the group, dressed all in white, left
the piano to take the microphone and improvise, before the astonished
gaze and surprised ears of all those present, who could not really
believe what they were hearing, and which the public repeated
enthusiastically, following the contagious cadence of the chorus: "I
want, remember that I always want," "Free access to information in order
to have my own opinion," "No militants nor dissidents, all Cubans," "We
want many things more," "Direct election of the president. . .," "I
want, remember that I want, the end of the blockade and self-blockade. . ."

He surprised everyone, he gave the authorities no time to improvise,
they could not divert the cameras to the dark night sky, he did not give
them time to project something else on the screens. He caught them "in
motion" as we say here. Robertico knew how to intelligently take
advantage of the opportunity that presented itself. That was no
accident, it was his deepest feeling, to which he could give free rein,
where he knew he was going to be heard, not like that open letter that
he made to Harold Gramatges, in front of the music section of UNEAC in
2007 and that surely was shelved, maybe with one or another similar.

Now it is only left to us to be very aware of what could happen to this
artist and, using word and writing as effective means, try to prevent
reprisals against this valiant musician. I am sure that you, I,
everyone, we are agreed that "we want many things more."

Translated by mlk

17 September 2013

Source: ""We Want Many Things More" / Rebeca Monzo | Translating Cuba" -
http://translatingcuba.com/we-want-many-things-more-rebeca-monzo/