Los Van Van in Moscow

Cuban dance music fans in Russia were waiting impatiently Saturday for a performance by the island’s emblematic salsa band Los Van Van, back after a long absence.

Juan Formell and his group, Los Van Van, are honorary guests at the third edition of the "Viva Cuba" Festival, taking place in this capital, and following the success of the 2008 and 2009 festivals.

"We have waited for years to see Los Van Van play in Russia," told Ekaterina Sansonkina, a promoter of this activity popular with Moscow's young people.

After arriving in Moscow, Formell held a brief press conference and recalled the group's last performance there during a 1970 tour of several European countries, including the former Soviet Union, and Japan.

"We are full of expectations being back in Russia," the band's director said.

Founded on December 4, 1969, Los Van Van has four decades of successful performances in Cuba and abroad, and among the many awards they've been conferred they have two Grammies to the Best Latin American Music.

Before coming to Moscow, the group has been successfully touring the world since early this year, including Key West and Miami, in the United States, and in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy and Spain.