Since the call for entries for the San Remo Music Awards contest was launched in 2021, more than 786 audiovisual materials were sent to the Organizing Committee at first. Because of the complex epidemiological situation that the country was going through at the time, the casting was done non-face-to-face, through social networks and email.

"The rules were clear in this regard. We were looking for novel figures, not only amateurs, but also professionals who had not made themselves known despite having studied in music schools. Based on the premise that San Remo Music Awards does not yet know the talent, but comes to recognize it, precisely the contest becomes an opportunity for professionals who have not had the opportunity to internationalize their career. A fair casting was made where the vocal quality of all those who presented themselves prevailed," Jorge Luis Robaina, artistic director of the SRMA, told Cubadebate in October 2021.

The jury, composed of great figures of the contemporary Cuban musical panorama, presented their proposals (eight for each region) and from that first selection the 16 finalists were chosen. This process was carried out under the supervision of musicologists who are part of the Art and Repertoire Department of the Egrem and in strict compliance with the requirements set forth in the event's rules.

Among the 16 awards chosen there is representation from the three regions of the country and from almost all provinces, both professional and amateur talent.

Although the event was officially inaugurated this Tuesday, the presentations of the finalists will begin today, Wednesday, at the Avellaneda Hall of the National Theater.

Each of the finalists will perform a contemporary Cuban song. During these four days, the finalists will be chosen until five prizes are awarded: the first three places, the Popularity Award and the Press Award.

Photo: Taken from ACN

Who are the 16 finalists of the San Remo Music Awards?

- Saed Mohamed (Professional, Havana)

- Duo Iris (Professional, Havana)

- Anibal Ramos (Professional, Cienfuegos)

- Camila Daniela (Professional, Havana)

- Rosalia Gómez Hasty (Non-professional, Santiago de Cuba)

- Ana Mariam (Non-professional, Pinar del Río)

- Dailys Álvarez Zumeta (Professional, Havana)

- Alejandro Padrón (Non-professional, Mayabeque)

- Diana Enrique Olivero (Professional, Holguín)

- Evelyn (NyEvel) (Professional, Guantánamo)

- Rocio de Jesus Gonzalez Castañeda (Professional, Granma)

- Yaran Cruz (Non-professional, Matanzas)

- Gisselle Lage (Professional, Santiago de Cuba)

- Ary Rodríguez (Professional, Granma)

- Aynelis Victores (Non-professional, Matanzas)

- Lizandro Mir (Professional, Havana)

Program of the Interpretation Contest at the National Theater

Wednesday, April 6

Opening of Verdarte Company/ Performance of the national jury for their presentation/ Presentation of the 16 contestants/ Italian night medley of Italian music/ Tania Pantoja, Suset Orieta, Elain Morales and Abel Geronés

Thursday, April 7th

Opening Tropicana Company/ Duets of finalists with Cuban music figures/ Mayito Rivera / El Nene / Pedrito Calvo / Osdalgia Lesme/ Duany Ramos / Niurka Reyes / Dagoberto Vázquez/ Tania Pantoja / Elaín Morales / María Victoria / Abel Geronés / Suset Orieta / Adrian Berazaín / Annys Batista/ Freddy Vera / Lachy Fortuna/ Cuban song medley by female voices/ Performance of the international jury invited for their presentation. Guests from Italy, Spain and Mexico

Friday, April 8th

Opening Ballet Parisien/ Elimination cut from 16 contestants to 10/ Presentation of Italian guest artists/ Acoustic version of the contestants' songs/ Cuban music medley: tribute to Caballero del Son Adalberto Álvarez/ Performances: Mayito Rivera, Pedrito Calvo, Lachy Fortuna

Saturday, April 9th

Tribute to Raffaella Carrá. Performances by: Haila María Mompié and Suset Orieta/ Performance of songs by foreign guest artists/ Performances by foreign guest artists/ Winners in other countries of previous editions of San Remo Music Awards/ Announcement and presentation of the awarded contestants/ Presentation of Ballet Revolution.