The Pepe Sánchez International Trova Festival has been held since the early 1960s in the province of Santiago de Cuba. Its main objective is to foster a sociocultural environment that reaffirms Cuban idiosyncrasy and cultural identity through troubadour expressions.

The Festival is held annually and is organized by the Miguel Matamoros Provincial Music Center of Santiago de Cuba, in conjunction with the Cuban Institute of Music and the Provincial Directorate of Culture. Its main venue is the Casa de la Trova (Heredia 208, between San Pedro and San Felix, Santiago de Cuba) and the Dolores Concert Hall in Santiago de Cuba (Reloj and Aguilera streets, Santiago de Cuba). The festival also features various artistic presentations in various venues, as well as conferences and workshops.

The month of March has always been chosen for its performance, as it is the month in which José “Pepe Sánchez” was born, considered the father of troubadour song in Cuba, and the month in which Troubadour Day is commemorated in Cuba.

At its 48th edition in 2010, the International Trova Festival was dedicated to the Female Trova Singer. Dominican Sonia Silvestre and Cuban singers Sara González and Miriam Ramos brought a distinctive touch to the closing gala, held in Plaza de Marte (Victoriano de Garzón Avenue, Santiago de Cuba). During the evening, recognitions for their support of the Festival in particular, and of Trova in general, were presented to: the program Cita con la Trova on Radio Taíno; José Aquiles Virelles, José Julián Padilla, Dúo Los Cubanitos, Septeto Guamá, Septeto Típico Tivolí, Agencia Son de Cuba, the José Tey School of Art Instructors, and the Esteban Salas Conservatory. The Festival was held under the presidency of renowned singer-songwriter Eduardo Sosa.

In each edition, the desire to foster an enriching dialogue on the issues of Trova, from its origins to its current state, has been evident, as well as the creation of a favorable environment for exchange between artists and between them and the public.

The Pepe Sánchez International Trova Festival has fostered a meeting of different generations of the most legitimate expressions of this artistic endeavor. It promotes both old and young trova talents in Cuba, who are in tune with the traditional performance style.