Cuban troubadour honoured in UQ Diversity Week concert

The work of Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez will feature in a University of Queensland Diversity Week concert on Tuesday 21 May.

The concert by students, staff and members of Brisbane’s Latin-American community will be hosted by UQ’s School of Education and the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies (SLCCS).

SLCCS Director of Studies Dr Roberto Esposto said the celebration would bring together members of UQ and the broader Latin American community.

“Latin American people are proud of their cultural heritage,” Dr Esposto said.

”The School is delighted to be co-hosting this event with the School of Education and providing an opportunity for this dynamic culture to be show-cased and shared during UQ’s Diversity Week.

“Silvio Rodríguez’s artistic work is renowned for drawing on the rich heritage of Cuban music and his lyrics are internationally recognised for their evocative imagery and a high level of poetry that extends the use of the Spanish language.”

Latin American singer-song writers often write music about social issues which gives their work many different aspects and multiple meanings.

The concert is being funded by a UQ Diversity Week Activity Grant, with support from the Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education and the UQ Branch of the National Tertiary Education Union.

School of Education concert coordinator Dr Sue Monk said the participants had been rehearsing enthusiastically to master the work of Rodríguez, which spans almost five decades.

“A choir has been formed to sing a selection of his songs and the concert will also feature readings of his work in Spanish and English.”

Event details:

What: Live concert: “Te Doy Una Canción: Celebrating the work of Cuban troubadour, Silvio Rodríguez” When: Tuesday 21 May, 1pm - 2pm Where: Terrace Room, Sir Llew Edwards building, St Lucia campus Admission: Free concert, RSVP essential (limited places) to s.monk@uq.edu.au.

Media: Concert coordinators Dr Sue Monk, School of Education, s.monk@uq.edu.au +61 7 3365 6508. Dr Sol Rojas-Lizana, SLCCS, i.rojaslizana@uq.edu.au or +61 7 3365 6718.