Cuban Son: Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Photo: Music in Havana. Pixabay/hoeldino

A collaboration by Rachell Cowan Canino

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Cuban Son an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last Wednesday. This recognizes this musical and dance expression as a living symbol of Cuba’s identity and joy.

The announcement, from UNESCO headquarters in New Delhi, is a tribute to the soneros of the island and the world, as well as to those who have kept this tradition alive for generations. The distinction also reaffirms the Cuban state’s commitment to the preservation and promotion of its cultural roots.

Son, a musical genre born in eastern Cuba and now a fundamental pillar of national music, transcends borders and constitutes an essential element of identity for the Afro-Caribbean diaspora. Its inscription on the UNESCO list celebrates the collective memory, creativity, and vitality of the communities that practice and transmit it. With this declaration, Cuba shares with the world the universal value of a cultural expression that has remained vibrant through dance, song, and daily practice. The international recognition of Cuban Son comes within a context of growing global appreciation for traditional cultural expressions and their role in social cohesion and community identity.

The inscription of Son as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity not only honors a centuries-old tradition but also strengthens efforts to safeguard and transmit it to future generations, both within Cuba and among Son communities around the world.