Featured Session: Sound of Change: Patria y Vida and Cuba’s Uprising

Mar 17, 2022

11:30am – 12:30pm CT

Can music change history? For over six decades, the slogan of the Cuban revolution, penned by Fidel Castro, was “Patria o Muerte” –Homeland or Death. But in the past year, the motto was turned on its head with protesters clamoring for “Patria y Vida,” the title of the subversive song performed by Black Cuban artists that reside in and out of the island. Co-writers and real life husband and wife Yotuel Romero and Beatriz Luengo speak of “Patria y Vida’s” journey from indie release to agent of change that fueled the biggest anti government protests in Cuba’s history. Winner of the Song of the year at the Latin Grammys, the making of “Patria y Vida” will now become a documentary that seeks to further advance change in Cuba and address systemic racism and human rights abuses.  

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.

photo of Leila Cobo
Leila Cobo

Billboard

photo of Beatriz Luengo
Beatriz Luengo

CHANCLETA RECORDS LLC

photo of Yotuel Romero
Yotuel Romero

CHANCLETA RECORDS LLC

Primary Access
Music Badge
Platinum Badge
Film Badge
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Accessibility
Closed Captioned