EGREM Marks Its 62nd Anniversary

In the closing days of March, Cuba’s Empresa de Grabaciones y Ediciones Musicales (Egrem) is celebrating a major milestone. On Tuesday, the 31st, the state-run record label marks its 62nd anniversary, along with seven years since its music collections were declared part of the Cultural Heritage of the Cuban Nation.

Cuba preserves an extraordinary musical archive that reflects the richness and contributions of countless performers, composers, and sound engineers to the country’s musical identity—from Rita Montaner and Celina González to Sara González and Omara Portuondo; from Barbarito Diez and Carlos Puebla to Silvio Rodríguez and Paulo FG; and from Septeto Habanero to Irakere—alongside iconic Cuban orchestras such as Aragón, Los Van Van, and NG La Banda, according to a statement published by Egrem on Facebook.

Since its founding, Egrem has worked to preserve and disseminate these recordings across multiple archives. This mission—focused on heritage, identity, and renewal—has been carried out with consistency and dedication over the decades.

In 2019, the National Council of Cultural Heritage recognized the high standard of preservation achieved by the label, whose recordings in some cases date back more than 70 years.

The institution’s staff are to be commended for their sustained commitment to safeguarding Cuba’s vibrant and enduring musical legacy.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez