Bolero becomes Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

On December 5, the United NationsEducational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially honored Bolero art as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, at the request of Cuba and Mexico.

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According to a VNA reporter in Havana, this decision was made by UNESCO at the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in the city of Kasane, northern Botswana.

Cuban Ambassador to UNESCO Yahima Esquivel affirmed that Bolero is not only an art form but also a blend of cultures and languages, between European culture, African rhythms and Latin American identity. Bolero represents Latin American love songs with influence beyond regional borders.

Bolero is a form of vocal, instrumental and dance music that originated in the city of Santiago de Cuba in the late 19th century and spread throughout Cuba through troupes of troupe artists.

One of the initiators and shapers of the Bolero style was artist Pepe Sánchez (1856-1918), who composed the first Bolero piece "Tristezas" (Pain) around 1883.

With its elegant and poetic melodies, Bolero songs originating from Cuba quickly crossed the sea to Mexico. The appeal of this slow, sad and romantic dance music helped Bolero quickly spread and take root in the islands of the Caribbean, down to South American countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia... and even Spain.

The golden age of Bolero in Latin American countries began in the 1930s, lasting continuously for three decades, with famous artists such as Antonio Machin, the duo Los Compadres (Cuba), the music group Los Panchos, Los Hermanos Martínez Gil and Trío Tarácuri, Agustín Lara (Mexico), Lucho Gatica (Chile)...

During this period, Bolero also influenced the English-speaking world , performed by many American artists such as Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra.

Perhaps the most famous Bolero in history is "Bésame mucho" (Kiss Me Much, 1941), composed by Mexican artist Consuelo Velásquez when she was only 15 years old.

The love song that lovers dedicate to each other turns out to be the confession of a girl who has never been kissed and is dreaming of a romantic love.

Not only popular in Latin America, the song is still performed by many famous singers such as Tona la Negra, Ruth Fermández, Luis Miguel. "Bésame Mucho" even appeared on the Beatles' 1962 album "The Beatles Live at Star Club in Hamburg" .

A characteristic of Bolero is that the music always comes with romantic, smooth lyrics, expressing feelings, concepts and standards about life in general and love in particular. It is impossible to talk about Bolero without mentioning the content of the lyrics, with emotional levels expressed through simple, sincere language combined with slow, sad and romantic music.

The intimate stories often begin with a private but typical memory, touching the common situation of the majority of listeners. In addition to the narrative about the ups and downs of life, the reasons for union and separation, human affairs, most Bolero songs are love songs, in which the lyrics and slow music become two resonant elements, guiding the steps of the dancing couple in private and endless moments.

In 2018, Bolero became an intangible cultural heritage of Mexico, while Cuba added this art to its national list in 2021. Bolero music in Cuba is usually in 2/4 time, with a speed of about 96-104 beats per minute.

The rumba is Bolero-son (a little faster than the original Bolero, around 104-128). In addition, the cha cha cha is Bolero-cha and the mambo is Bolero-mambo.

Bolero music in Vietnam is almost completely different, as it is usually written in a minor key, 4/4 time and played at a speed of about 60 bpm (slower than Cuban Bolero). This is also the speed of traditional songs and reformed opera of the people in the South.

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