Paris - As a special guest of the ''Cuban Week'', renowned composer and concert musician Jose Maria Vitier, has arrived in France to show his work and, above all, bringing his island with him, as ''it goes with us everywhere''.

Vitier told Prensa Latina after saying that the country where he was born and has developed a brilliant artistic career will be the center of events scheduled as part of a program dedicated to strengthening ties between France and Cuba.

The musician, composer of emblematic pieces such as 'Misa Cubana' (Cuban Mass), was excited to perform in this European nation with which he has close ties.

For the his gala concert on Saturday, April 1st, he chose, as part of the repertoire, the soundtrack he composed for the film 'El siglo de las luces' (The Century of Lights - 1992). The film is based on a novel by Alejo Carpentier and pictures life during the French Revolution.

Vitier will also play emblematic works such as pieces of the soundtrack of film 'Fresa y Chocolate' (Strawberry and Chocolate), as well as compositions of his latest album 'Ofrendas' (Tributes).

'Ofrendas' is precisely the title of the exhibition by Cuban artist, Silvia Rodriguez, that will open Thursday at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

Vitier and Rodriguez -partners in life for more than 40 years- have prepared a special performance that will show the result of the creative work they have done together for decades.

Vitier declared himself honored to participate in a project with UNESCO, which he considered one of the great institutions dedicated to take care a part of the best sites in the world.