Youthful artist Catiana from Mislata represented Spain at the Euro-Low Vision festival, a European event that showcases blind and visually impaired performers from various countries. The festival, held online on May 12, features music that blends diverse styles, with Catiana having composed and performed her entry herself. This edition follows the success of Laura Diepstraten, who triumphed in 2022. The Euro-Low Vision initiative operates in partnership with the Views International organization and the German Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, aiming to promote the artistic works of blind or severely visually impaired musicians.
The competition is organized with the help of national bodies such as ONCE, and each of the twenty participating countries selects a song to compete in the European final. This year, artists from other continents may also take part in the event.
Pianist, composer and singer
Catiana — full name Claudia Romero Ramírez — is eighteen years old and excels as a pianist, composer, and singer. With a Franco-Spanish background, she grew up in Mislata after being born elsewhere. From an early age she faced retinopathy and blindness, yet this did not stop her from pursuing music, a path she embraced while studying at the Valencia Conservatory. By fifteen she had decided to dedicate herself professionally to music.
According to ONCE, she began singing with ONCE’s Allegro choir at the age of four. Her father, himself a musician and sound technician, supported her musical development. She possesses a natural ability to identify notes, chords, and arpeggios by ear, a talent described as a perfect pitch-like sense that guides her musical journey.
In composition, she typically starts by playing the music on the piano and then writes the lyrics. She draws inspiration from artists like Nathy Peluso and embraces a bold approach that blends singing with elements of alternative rap and a fusion of styles. Her work sometimes includes sections in French and other sections in Spanish, reflecting a willingness to experiment with linguistic and musical textures.
The themes of her work address the social dynamics surrounding disability, challenging paternalistic attitudes and the underestimation that many people face. The songs argue that people with disabilities deserve the same artistic recognition as anyone else, measured by the craft itself rather than assumptions about who they are.
Universal Musical Album
Catiana has already released an album and is working on a second project that is anticipated to arrive soon. She has collaborated with Universal Music France for some of her releases. Her first single, Not anymore, speaks out against sexist violence. Throughout her career she has worked with a range of notable musicians, including Javi Vela on guitar, Robert Molina on bass, and other prominent Spanish artists who have supported her development as an artist.
Her entry for Euro-Low Vision was chosen from a pool of fifteen submitted songs representing Spain. The event will feature a virtual premiere on YouTube on May 12, with audiences invited to vote for the winning entry. The festival emphasizes empowering artists with visual impairments and highlighting their musical talents to a broad international audience.