Havana, May 5 (LP) Latin Press will transmit the letter of the Cuban songwriter Silvio Rodriguez to the North American musician Pete Seeger, whose homage concert in New York he could no attend, because of the denial of granting him visa to travel to the United States. "Those who don’t want Cuba and the USA united, sing together, talk and understand each other, didn’t let me arrive there –he expresses in his letter. They are the ones who think the world is divided into powerful and weak (…). Those who never forgive that even though we are a small Island we had decided to live standing".

Havana, May 3rd, 2009.

Admired and beloved Maestro Pete Seeger:

In these moments is being held the concert that is just offering you tenths of singers. I have been thinking on those times I had the privilege to enjoy you seductive talent of multitudes. I remember you that way in Havana, singing in a solo with the Experimentacion Sonora Group; I remember you that way in that round to pay tribute to Victor Jara, through several cities in Italy; and that way also I revive that February 1980 frosty night which in response to your call we travel from New York to Poughkeepsie and we listened to your "Snow, Snow", a master piece of whom he asked himself in front of a winter view.

I made my greatest effort to be with you today, but, as you know very well, those who don’t want Cuba and the USA united, sing together, talk and understand each others, didn’t let me arrive there. They are the ones who think the world is divided into powerful and weak. Those who never forgive that even though we are a small Island we had decided to live standing. The reality every time shouts that there must be less of those ignorant persons, but in any way that minority still prevails and say what to do. Some of them felt it was dangerous that we could meet and that a simple fraternity act will symbolize two neighbour peoples that could coincide in songs and affections.

But not only me, dear Pete: all my honourable and undoubtedly this country that could be better, admires you, respects you and celebrates your honourable nine decades in defense to social justice, peace and culture.

No one see you here as a danger but as an extraordinary friend they don’t let us embrace as free as we would like to. That is why, more than me, all Cuba loves you, under an embargo yet by those selfish persons, it is on your side now singing your prophetic We Shall Overcome and our Marti type Guantanamera.

A kiss for Toshi and a hug for you from

Silvio Rodriguez Dominguez.