The Longina National Troubadours’ Gathering was established in 1996 as a fitting tribute to the legendary Manuel Corona. The event bears the name of the song that immortalized him and is held annually in the province of Villa Clara. It is organized by the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS) of this territory and the Provincial Directorate of Culture.

Its program’s fundamental objectives are to commemorate Manuel Corona and promote the youngest exponents of trova in Cuba. It includes theoretical sessions, concerts, and performances. Trovuntivitis, a project that brings together troubadours from Villa Clara, is a significant host of the event.

The Longina National Troubadours’ Meeting always concludes with a pilgrimage to the tomb of Manuel Corona in the Caibarién cemetery, where the remains of this great example of Cuban troubadour rest.

In 2009, the Longina was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the founding of the El Mejunje Cultural Center (Calle Marta Abreu No. 12 e/ Zayas and Lubián. Santa Clara. Villa Clara), a frequent space for trova in the territory, with the participation of guests, projects promoting trova such as the Pablo de la Torriente Brau Center, the Esquife project, La jiribilla, among others.

The 2010 edition of the Encuentro featured an intense program of three daily concerts in various venues throughout Santa Clara, including the Camilo Cienfuegos Cinema, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the El Mejunje Cultural Center (Calle Marta Abreu No. 12, between Zayas and Lubián streets, Santa Clara, Villa Clara). Each day concluded with a traditional descarga (dance performance) at the Provincial Art Gallery. Members of the Trovuntivitis group highlighted performances by Nelsón Valdés and his group from Cienfuegos, as well as the quartet featuring the exemplary tres player Maikel Elizalde.

The 15th Longina National Troubadours’ Meeting in 2011 featured concerts, performances, and book, record, and magazine exhibitions. Alain Garrido opened the event with a concert at the Teatro La Caridad on the opening day. The duo Janet y Quincoso, Nelson Valdés, Yordys Toledo, and the group Lunas were among the attendees, which enjoyed performances by Raúl Marchena, Leonardo García, and Roly Berrío, and a performance by Gerardo Alfonso as special guest.

Among the event’s most revealing highlights were the presentation of the Pablo Award to the project La Trovuntivitis and the introduction of the album Una canción para Miguel, featuring the winners of the competition dedicated to the Spanish poet Miguel Hernández. The event also included the presentation of the Cuaderno Memoria A guitarra limpia (A Clean Guitar Memory Notebook) and a sampling of the albums released inspired by the 12th anniversary of the event, as well as the book Silvio, aprendiz de brujo (Silvio, aprendiz de brujo) by Eduardo Valtierra.

The Longina National Meeting of Troubadours has become a profound and fruitful intergenerational exchange between the creators who craft trova in Cuba.