(Prensa Latina - Cumbancha) Havana, Cuba - Cuban Culture Deputy Minister for Music Abel Acosta said that "this year has been great for Cuban culture, and in 2004, the country's music will look within". Acosta's meeting with the press took place at a promotion center in western Havana. The meeting was aimed at reviewing Cuban music in 2003 and explain next year's goals. The Cuban official said that at present, the country is trying to increase its presence in the world, despite the hostility of the world's biggest economic and military power.

"The country will look within, so will music and culture this new year", he added. Several excellent musicians will be in charge of this new utopia-reality by the Cubans, added Acosta. The symphonic orchestras, he announced, will be turned into teaching units, so the future musicians will give concerts and at the same time, they will receive theoretical-practical classes, he pointed out.