WOMEX is an event that, besides being an important way to increase the visibility of my career, is super instructive. I've always wanted to be there and have that experience. And it will definitely be extremely useful in all I've been doing and in all that's to come. n
Cimafunk, Cuban musician
The UNESCO Transcultura-WOMEX Call was launched precisely to provide new opportunities for young Caribbean artists and music professionals to access the international market.
Transcultura is a programme implemented by the UNESCO Regional Office for Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean, funded by the European Union and supported by UNESCO offices in the region, which aims to create opportunities for young artists from 17 Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in order to enhance the role of culture in the sustainable development of their countries and boost their careers. Opportunities like these can transform people' s lives.
This change everything, you go from influencing a group of people in your neighbourhood, to becoming part of the leisure time of thousands of people. You go from not knowing where the window is, to having a lot of positive doors and paths. That's the beauty of opportunities for talented artists, they can make a difference in the artistic scenario with just a push.
Cimafunk, Cuban musician
The call, in addition to taking the four winning groups to WOMEX, subsidised 58 applications made by Caribbean bands. Cimafunk confesses that the music of the region is at the root of everything he does and says he is grateful for this new door that opens in his career.
Super happy and grateful for this WOMEX and UNESCO initiative. It's a great opportunity and a great pleasure to be able to do it, both my band and I are super happy and excited to be there and perform.
