Cuban music is distinctive.
The revolutionary government of Cuba officially recognizes that cultural activity is essential to the fulfillment of its economic and social goals, and has accordingly been very supportive of Cuban art, music, and literature, including the promotion of appreciation of the African elements in Cuban culture. All areas of Cuban culture are protected and promoted by the Ministry of Culture established in 1976. The habanera that most of us can hum from Georges Bizet's opera Carmen is a Cuban dance rhythm. The National Folklore Group of Cuba is the foremost performing group of Cuban dances, and represents the country among the international set of folk dance troupes that perform throughout the world. Of special interest are the singers Silvio Rodriguez and Pablo Milanes, who started a musical movement called La nueva trova, politically and socially conscious songs that comment on the new Cuban man and woman.