HAVANA, Cuba, Dec 6 (acn) The Van Van orchestra, Grammy winner and considered the best of its kind in Cuba, delivered a huge concert this Thursday night at the steps of the Havana University to mark the 45 th anniversary of its founding by late Juan Formell.
The celebration was attended by tens of thousands of Havana people and several of the top Cuban leaders, including First Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel and the First Secretary of the Communist Party in Havana, Mercedes López Acea, along members of the Youth Communist League and the Ministry of Culture.
The chords of its hit Arrasando marked the beginning of the Van Van concert, whose climax was when they played La Fantasía, namesake of their latest CD, the last one where founder Juan Formell, who died last May, participated.
Vocalist Roberto Hernández, aka Roberton, said it was an honor for the members of the orchestra to wrap up their national tour at the symbolic Havana University. He added they were proud of the fact that when people speak of Cuba, they mention Van Van.
Roberton finished his improvised speech by singing a chorus that paid homage to the man that for almost 45 years led the orchestra, Formell: Ay Juanito, baja y mira esto! (Oh Juanito, come down and watch this) with which he moved the audience.
