Carlos Vives gives a concert for a group of children, accompanied by characters
Por Miriam Gonzalez ·
On Sunday, hundreds of children attended their first concert at the Movistar Arena in Bogotá, featuring Carlos Vives, who sang alongside characters from the fables of Rafael Pombo—one of Colombia’s leading figures in children’s literature — during an afternoon that blended music, theater, and storytelling.
The character of José Rafael Pombo appeared from the side of the stage wearing his maroon top hat and introduced himself as “the master of the night” to make way for his cast of characters, including Simón, Juan Matachín, Michín, Rinrín Renacuajo, and the Little Old Lady, who made their way around the venue while the children sang and recited verses that are part of the Colombian children’s imagination.
The show, designed for young children but with humorous nods to their parents and grandparents as well, began more like a play than a concert.
The musical portion of the event featured Carlos Vives, Nidia Góngora, Herencia de Timbiquí, the Río Grande children’s choir, and Juliana, who performed “Seguiré,” a song composed by Juliana as a tribute to the victims of the devastating earthquake on August 10, which speaks to the resilience of Colombians in picking themselves up after tragedy.
Vives then kicked off the show with “Volví a nacer,” “La bicicleta,” “Canción bonita,” and “Ella es mi fiesta,” and continued with some of his other best-known songs, adapting his usual show for a children’s audience.
However, the youngest performers also took center stage, as, as the concert progressed, young musicians and singers came on stage with their instruments to accompany Vives.
“Los Canticuentos,” a collection of songs based on stories and characters from fables, is the best-selling children’s album in Colombia’s history.
The performance is part of Vives’ “Tour al Sol,” which stopped in Bogotá this week for two nights in its usual format before this special children’s edition, and will continue in October in Chile and Peru, according to Agencia EFE.