Guayacán Orchestra receives tribute in New York for Colombia's 215th anniversary

New York City paid tribute to the veteran Colombian salsa orchestra Guayacán on Friday by naming a section of the famed Sixth Avenue after them in commemoration of the 215th anniversary of Colombia's independence, which falls on July 20.

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Starting today and lasting for a week, the corner of 45th Street and Sixth Avenue will be called Guayacán Orquesta, the first salsa band to receive this recognition in the city. Singers from other genres have also received similar tributes, such as Argentine rocker Charlie García, Colombian singer Silvestre Dangón, and the Mexican group Tigres del Norte.

"This is a day of celebration for who we are as Latinos" who work hard in the city, commented Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez, who noted that Latinos "are not just newcomers or newcomers" to the Big Apple, where the Latino population accounts for 28% of the total.

The name Guayacán Orchestra is located on the same stretch as the medallion of the Colombian coat of arms, one of 35 Latin American countries and territories whose coats of arms were placed along that avenue 60 years ago as a symbol of unity after World War II.

The event featured members of the group Guayacán, who expressed their pride in having a street named after them in the capital of salsa, a genre to which they have dedicated 40 years. After unveiling the plaque bearing their name, they sang one of their greatest hits: "Oiga, mire, vea."

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"If the great cities of the world recognize our work, our labor, it means that the sowing has been well done. The music we make, the culture we bring is for you. We are messengers of joy. The message has been universal," said musician and producer Alexis Lozano, co-founder of the group with Jairo Varela (1949-2012). Lozano, who was accompanied by Nino Caicedo, composer of 'Oiga, mire, vea' and many other hits by the group, said he was proud of the recognition and concluded his message with: "Viva Guayacán, Viva Cali, Viva Colombia!" Caicedo thanked "all the salsa singers of the world" and all those who work behind the scenes with the orchestra.

Guayacán will perform on July 20 at the Colombian Independence Festival, the largest event celebrating that community in New York.

The event was also attended by the Colombian Consul in New York, Miguel González. EFE