The excitement over the music of iconic Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel overflowed on Sunday (Sept. 22) in Mexico City’s Zócalo. More than 70,000 people gathered at the country’s main public square, according to figures from the capital’s government, for the screening of Mis 40 en Bellas Artes.
Although what they witnessed was a recording of his 2013 concert at Mexico’s most important cultural venue, the audience seemed to be in front of the “Divo de Juárez” himself, chanting and dancing to the songs of that special performance, with which the late artist celebrated his four decades of artistic career.
“Querida,” “Caray,” “Siempre En Mi Mente,” “¿Por Qué Me Haces Llorar?” and, the hit that launched him to international fame, “El Noa Noa” were played at the Zócalo, where young people arrived, many of who perhaps never went to a Juan Gabriel concert, but who keep his artistic legacy very much alive.
According to Mexico City’s Ministry of Culture, the screening of the concert celebrates a decade since the release of this material recorded in Bellas Artes with the International Orchestra of the Arts, as well as the 20th anniversary of the concert given by Juan Gabriel in Mexico City’s Zócalo in March 2004, as part of the Noche de Primavera Festival.
In front of a giant screen, fans of all ages, people in wheelchairs and several impersonators arrived hours before at the Zócalo to look for the best spot. The fan club Las Viudas de Juan Gabriel placed a banner of the late artist and a dozen members dressed in pink t-shirts and hats were enthusiastic about the recognition of the singer.
On social media, users also expressed happiness about being part of this massive event. “I love you Juan Gabriel, we all forgot it was a video [we were watching],” wrote on X a user identified as @MelanieMishell_. “He is a genius. An artist who transcends time and generations. Juan Gabriel is immortal,” added @diosdadoooooooooooo on the same platform.
The screening of Mis 40 en Bellas Artes at the Zócalo took place after hundreds of people were locked out of the Cineteca Nacional on Sept. 13 during a screening there, forcing the organizers to cancel another screening scheduled for the following day (Sept. 14).
Organizers estimated that some 6,000 people had arrived at the Cineteca Nacional to participate in the event. Videos on social media showed a large number of attendees who remained outside the venue, dancing and singing at the top of their lungs to the songs included in the concert — published by Virgin Music — regardless of the rain that covered much of the city that afternoon.
