The iconic Spanish singer, Massiel, has once again captured the spotlight by sharing an uncomfortable tale from her time in Cuba during the 1960s, where she turned down a meeting with none other than Fidel Castro. In a recent interview with the newspaper El País, Massiel reminisced about the month she spent on the island in 1967, a year before she gained international fame with her victory at the Eurovision Song Contest. Invited by the Cuban regime to participate in the Cultural Congress of Havana, the Madrid-born artist explained that she traveled out of political curiosity: "I just wanted to see the revolution with my own eyes."
However, her visit took an unexpected turn when the revolutionary leader sought to meet her personally. "The commander wanted to meet me, and I said no. It smelled like a trap to me," she revealed. Her refusal didn't end there; it sparked an unusual and contemptible reaction from the dictator. "They spread the rumor that I had something with him. The bastard couldn’t think of anything better to say. He even went to Canada to buy a stud, a Hereford bull. Do you know what he named it? Massiel. The legend was born," she denounced.
Before her Eurovision triumph, Massiel was already famous thanks to the song "Rosas en el mar," dedicated to the Cuban revolution by Luis Eduardo Aute. She also performed songs by Pablo Milanés and Silvio Rodríguez, yet she maintained political independence, never affiliating with the Communist Party or the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). Her career was also marked by the Francoist regime. After winning Eurovision, she refused to accept an award from dictator Francisco Franco, resulting in months of censorship on Spanish television. "When I arrived in Spain, they wanted me to go to El Pardo, and I didn't want him to put a cross on me. I didn’t want a photo with Franco," she recounted on a Telecinco program. This decision led to a nine-month media ban after publicly declaring she wasn’t a Francoist.
In 2013, Massiel nearly returned to Cuba to participate in a gala against homophobia promoted by Mariela Castro, daughter of Raúl Castro, but had to cancel due to health issues. According to the National Center for Sexual Education (Cenesex), "the artist had to undergo eye surgery, and doctors advised against the trip." The 77-year-old singer remains one of Spain's most controversial and candid cultural figures. Although she often regrets participating in Eurovision, her voice continues to resonate due to her critical and irreverent stance against power, whether under Franco’s rule or against the symbols of the Cuban dictatorship.
Insights into Massiel's Experience in Cuba
Why did Massiel refuse to meet Fidel Castro?
Massiel declined to meet Fidel Castro because she suspected it might be a trap. She wanted to avoid any situations that could compromise her or be used against her.
What was the reaction of Fidel Castro after Massiel's refusal?
After Massiel refused to meet him, Fidel Castro allegedly spread rumors about her having a relationship with him, including naming a Hereford bull after her.
How did Massiel's political stance affect her career?
Massiel's refusal to affiliate with political parties and her rejection of Franco's award led to her being censored for months on Spanish television. Her independent stance often placed her at odds with the powers of the time.