Omar Santiago Fuentes
Puerto Rican Troubadour, Improviser of Verse & Décimas
Puertorriqueño / Puerto Rican
Hatillo, Puerto Rico
“In my community I feel the responsibility to contribute to the development of a living culture, where young people can view art as an expression of personal growth. I aspire to make new contributions to the culture of Puerto Rico to preserve the identity of my town, my people and my country.”
Omar Santiago Fuentes
Hatillo – Community and the public participating in an activity
Concert with participating folk artists
TV Program – Tribute to Master Troubadours
Photo courtesy Decimanía
Photo courtesy Decimanía
Photo courtesy Decimanía
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Troubadour & improviser of verse, cultivator of rhyme & song
Omar Santiago Fuentes is a cultural worker who specializes in promoting the folk music tradition and décima from Puerto Rico. From a young age he has developed his skill as a troubadour and improviser of verse and a cultivator of rhyme and song. He has won the most important troubadour contests on the island, and his commitment has allowed him to flourish into a master of oral tradition. He is a researcher and historian, and author of the book La décima del encanto, a recipient of literary awards in Puerto Rico. He founded the cultural educational organization, Decimanía of Puerto Rico, through which he has supported various projects for the preservation and dissemination of the folk music tradition. He directs projects that benefit other troubadours, musicians and young troubadours, and is a musical producer, community leader, art worker and advocate for Puerto Rican culture. Currently he is professor at the Universidad Interamericana in Arecibo, and he has a PhD in Hispanic Arts and Literature.
What does the Taproot Fellowship mean to you and how will it affect your practice?
Being a Taproot artist in my practice is a responsibility that I take on to continue advocating for the tradition I represent. I am an artist but at the same time an agent for processes to guarantee that this art form can achieve sustainability for the future. In my community I feel the responsibility to contribute to the development of a living culture, where young people can view art as an expression of personal growth. I aspire to make new contributions to the culture of Puerto Rico to preserve the identity of my town, my people and my country.
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