Cuba · MUSIC

The Spanish singer chose a church that runs on its own power. Turning a Sunday recital into a statement during Cuba’s energy crisis.

A street in Habana Vieja, the old quarter where the church stands.

Sílvia Pérez Cruz in Havana gave a free concert at a church on Sunday evening. 23 August 2026, as Cuba faced widespread blackouts.

The Spanish singer performed at the Iglesia de San Francisco el Nuevo. A venue chosen deliberately for its acoustics and its independence from the national power grid.

A Free Concert in a Blackout

Sílvia Pérez Cruz in Havana sang at six in the evening, according to the digital outlet Cibercuba. The concert took place at the Iglesia de San Francisco el Nuevo, however.

In La Habana Vieja, on the corner of Calle Cuba and Calle Amargura. The church is a place of worship, not a theatre or concert hall, as both EFE and Cibercuba described it.

Sílvia Pérez Cruz in Havana was chosen partly for its sound. And mainly because it does not rely on the national electricity grid.

The concert began at six in the evening, as Cibercuba reported. Meanwhile, the church’s location in Old Havana made it a central gathering spot.

The concert took place on Sunday 23 August 2026, as reported by Cibercuba. Although the event was free, no official source detailed how to attend.

Sílvia Pérez Cruz in Havana’s Church

Cibercuba reported the space was selected for its acoustics, moreover, because it does not depend on the national electricity network. That Sunday, blackouts were affecting up to 70 percent of the island, with power cuts that could exceed 20 hours.

Therefore, the church offered a reliable setting for music when much of Cuba was in darkness. The concert was a standalone recital, not part of any named festival, according to the sources.

The venue’s independence from the grid was crucial, since blackouts affected much of the island. However, the church provided a stable setting for the performance.

The church’s independence from the grid was crucial, since blackouts affected much of the island. However, the venue provided a stable setting for the performance.

What It Cost

Entry was free, with no charge for anyone. EFE called it a free concert, and the blog Segunda cita used the same words.

Moreover, there was no price distinction between Cubans and foreigners, contrary to some assumptions. The research found no ticket, no reservation system, and no published way to get in.

There was no charge for anyone, and no price distinction existed between Cubans and foreigners. As a result, the concert was accessible to all who could attend.

The Catch: No Ticket, No Reservation

Although entry was free, no source explained how to attend. The research found no information from Cuban media or ministries about selling or reserving tickets.

In fact, the reports cite no concrete institutional organiser, neither a culture ministry nor a named promoter. The implication of first come, first served was not spelled out in any official note.

No source published any way to reserve a spot or buy a ticket. Therefore, the absence of a booking channel left attendance uncertain.

What the Singer Said

Before the concert, Sílvia Pérez Cruz told EFE, “I think it is the most important concert of the whole tour. ” Meanwhile, she framed her trip against Cuba’s severe crisis.

The singer traveled to give a free concert, despite Cuba living through one of its worst crises, according to EFE. Cibercuba reported she cast the recital as an act of love, although those words were not a direct quote.

She told EFE that this was the most important concert of her tour. Meanwhile, she traveled to Havana despite the country’s severe crisis, according to EFE.

The Audience Reaction

Cuban professor Julio César González Pagés described the recital as “an act of faith,” as reported by Cibercuba. He also said it aimed to “make us fly and pull us out of the murderous routine.

He was the only person other than the singer quoted in the research about this night. His words capture the emotional weight of the event amid the blackouts.

Professor González Pagés called it an act of faith, and his words stood out. In addition, he described the aim as making listeners fly and escape routine.

Who Was on Stage

Sílvia Pérez Cruz was accompanied by three musicians, known only by their surnames: Montfort, Roma, and Albero. The blog Segunda cita listed them exactly that way.

Their full names, instruments, and nationalities were not published in any Cuban source. Therefore, only the surnames are known.

The three musicians were known only by their surnames, Montfort, Roma, and Albero. However, their full identities remained unpublished in any Cuban source.

Who She Is

Sílvia Pérez Cruz is a Spanish singer, composer, and actress, born on 15 February 1983 in Palafrugell, Catalonia. She graduated in jazz singing from the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC) and launched her first solo project in 2012.

In addition, she won the Premio Nacional de las Músicas Actuales 2022 and a Goya award for best original song in 2012. The songwriter Jorge Drexler has described her as “a voice that defines a generation.

She is a Spanish artist with a Goya award and a national prize. In addition, her voice has been praised as defining a generation.

A Night to Remember

The concert was a unique event, not part of a named festival, and no organiser was credited. The sources were EFE, Cibercuba, and the blog Segunda cita, with no official Cuban statement.

In short, Sílvia Pérez Cruz in Havana delivered a free performance that resonated deeply. As a result, it turned a blackout into a moment of faith and flight.

The church’s independence from the grid made it a beacon of music in a dark time. The event was a standalone recital, not part of a festival, with no named organiser.

Still, it became a memorable moment in a dark time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the concert free for everyone?

Yes, entry was free with no charge for anyone. There was no price distinction between Cubans and foreigners, according to EFE and the blog Segunda cita.

Why was the concert held in a church?

The church was chosen for its acoustics and because it does not depend on the national electricity grid. This was important because blackouts affected up to 70 percent of the island that Sunday.

How could people get tickets?

There were no tickets and no reservation system. No source published any way to get in, so entry was likely first come, first served, though that was not officially stated.

Who performed with Sílvia Pérez Cruz?

She was accompanied by three musicians, known only by their surnames: Montfort, Roma, and Albero. Their full names, instruments, and nationalities were not published.

Sources: EFE; Cibercuba; Segunda cita; Fnac; Europa FM; El Corte Inglés Ámbito Cultural; silviaperezcruz.com.