Peace without Borders
Posted on Fri, Sep 04, 2009
by Mariana
Earlier this month, Colombian superstar, Juanes, announced his upcoming “Paz Sin Fronteras” (Peace without Borders) concert. It is a concert advocating global peace and human rights. Its location is the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, Cuba. When he announced the location, it instantly caused controversy all over Latin America and among the Cuban community in the United States.
Those opposed to the show say that it is a form of propaganda for the Castro regime. Famous Cuban artists have publicly voiced their opposition, saying that a concert about peace in Cuba is an oxymoron and nothing but a publicity stunt for both Juanes and the Cuban government. Juanes, who is an active Twitter user (he posts updates on the concert regularly), has received numerous threats.
However, not everyone is opposed to the concert. There is a line-up of other popular Latin artists scheduled to perform, including Cuban folk singer Silvio Rodriguez and Spaniards’ Enrique Iglesias and Miguel Bose.
Paz Sin Fronteras is Juanes’ second peace concert. Last year, tens of thousands of Colombians and Venezuelans gathered on their border, dressed in white, to hear Juanes’ free show, which also included guest appearances from other mega stars. The purpose of this concert was to heal tensions after Colombia had launched a commando raid into neighboring Ecuador, resulting in numerous deaths. The concert brought people together and was a success.
Juanes, “The Bono of Latin America,” said about the concert:
“It’s time to start knocking down our own mental walls, to not judge anyone for their way of thinking, their social class or their politics… Our Cuban brothers need us and we need them. I’m talking about a peace concert on Sept. 20… raise your voice, and let’s put aside our ideological differences.”
Juanes has even started planning a third peace concert for next summer on the U.S.-Mexican border (between Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas), where countless people have died as a result of ongoing drug wars and conflicts.
Whatever your opinion is on the concert, Juanes’ determination and willingness deserves respect. The concert will take place on September 20.