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Andean rhythm song chosen as anthem for Pope's Peru visit
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Andean rhythm song chosen as anthem for Pope's Peru visit

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Peru has chosen the Andean-rhythm song 'León, hermano del camino' as the official anthem for Pope Francis' upcoming visit in November.
  • The song, by Peruvian composer Jaime Montoya and performed by the Aguchita religious choir, won a national contest organized by Peru's National Institute of Radio and Television (IRTP), the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, and the Archdiocese of Lima.
  • The winning song will be recorded, feature a music video, and be continuously broadcast on state media until the Pope's arrival, with a chance for the choir to perform it for him.

Peru has selected 'León, hermano del camino' (Lion, brother of the road), a song infused with Andean rhythms, to serve as the anthem for Pope Francis' upcoming visit in November. The winning composition, penned by Peruvian artist Jaime Montoya and performed by the Aguchita religious choir, emerged victorious from a national contest that saw 394 entries.

for the purpose of promoting this initiative, we had an excellent synergy with the Peruvian Episcopal Conference and the Archdiocese of Lima.

— Cinthia RamírezThe head of the IRTP, Cinthia Ramírez, spoke about the collaboration for the papal visit anthem.

The contest was a collaborative effort between the Instituto Nacional de Radio y Televisión del Perú (IRTP), the Peruvian Episcopal Conference (CEP), and the Archdiocese of Lima. The winning track will be professionally recorded and accompanied by a music video, both of which will be produced and widely disseminated through the country's state media channels.

the winner will have the possibility of singing the song to the pope.

— Cinthia RamírezCinthia Ramírez, head of the IRTP, highlighted the opportunity for the winning choir.

Cinthia Ramírez, head of the IRTP, highlighted the "excellent synergy" with the CEP and the Archdiocese, emphasizing that the winning choir will have the unique opportunity to perform the song for the Pope himself. The anthem will be a constant presence on IRTP's digital, television, and radio platforms leading up to the pontiff's arrival and will be integrated into activities during his tour of four Peruvian cities.

we are going to place the song within the activities that will take place during his stay here, in the four cities he will tour.

— Cinthia RamírezCinthia Ramírez detailed how the anthem would be featured during the Pope's visit.

Carla Polo, a member of the Aguchita choir, expressed profound gratitude, viewing the opportunity as a divine blessing to evangelize through song. The choir itself is named in honor of the blessed Peruvian nun María Agustina Rivas López, known as 'Aguchita,' who was tragically murdered in 1990. Cardinal Carlos Castillo, the Archbishop of Lima, also conveyed his joy at the festive and hopeful atmosphere surrounding the papal visit, expressing hope that the Pope's arrival signifies a "resurrection of Peru."

this is an opportunity that the lord gives us, that blesses us, because through singing one evangelizes.

— Carla PoloCarla Polo, a member of the winning choir, expressed her feelings about the opportunity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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