by Carla Andrea Leininger (www.arrepiabrasil.org)

Carnaval season of 2006 was about to begin in Brazil in a time when my memories of a Carnaval lived in Bahia (the biggest street carnaval party in the world) normally don’t escape my mind. Yet, this year, my feeling was different. As I headed from Pittsburgh to Cleveland on Feb 24th along with my Colombian friends, I could barely wait to get there. Not because we were going on our traditional trip to the Cleveland Brazilian Masquerade Ball, but rather because I was going to see one of the stars responsible for my new passion for Colombian music: Juanes.

Almost 2,000 people packed a downtown theater in Cleveland to see the multiple Latin Grammy-Winning star singing his famous tunes such as “A Dios le Pido” and “La Camisa Negra.” Latinos came from everywhere in the region and they represented nations such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia and of course, Brazil. To my excitement, as I waved my Brazilian flag hoping to make that connection with this star that I so much admire, Juanes actually pointed at me from the stage and announced that Brazil was also present in the audience. In fact, two other Brazilians were seating next to me. My heart filled with joy! I felt that I was able to tell him that his talent has reached the hearts of those who like me, are fascinated with his music even if we can’t understand all the lyrics. That is the beauty of music; it can talk to us without words. It can bring memories and it can create new ones. It can turn tears into laughter and it can make you feel that you can change the world!

Colombian artists such as Juanes, Carlos Vives, Bacilos and Charlie Zaa have done something unique for me. They have made me fall in love with Colombia. I don’t know why exactly Colombian music is so powerful, but there is a magical element in it because its success is evident as Colombian artists are often climbing the music charts all over the world. Who hasn’t heard of Shakira, for example? In a country so damaged by drug and kidnapping scandals, civil and military conflicts, political and economical struggles, it’s refreshing to see that happiness, laughter, love and fun are still strong presences in its cultural traditions. It is also uplifting to know that the essence of traditional Colombian music is still very much alive and that the music industry in that country has continued to flourish.

The way I see this is a time for Colombia and Colombians everywhere to find unity and to promote the rest of Colombia to the world. These artists have won the hearts of many fans and that was evident at Juanes’ show in Cleveland. Now it’s time for the Colombian government to see this opportunity as a chance to transform the current success of Colombian music on a world level into a campaign to bring tourism back into the country. It is also a time for Colombians to embrace each other with solidarity, pride and enthusiasm and start building a new foundation for the children of Colombia! That, as my favorite song by Juanes says is what “I ask of God…. (a Dios le pido).”



For more pictures from the concert, click here...