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Greater than 500 musical artists representing all kinds of Latin American nations celebrated unity and belonging via uplifting music and conventional dance as hundreds watched “Luz de las Naciones” (“Gentle of the Nations”) Saturday, Nov. 5, on the Convention Heart in Salt Lake Metropolis.
The occasion marked the twentieth anniversary of “Luz de las Naciones,” a celebration of Latin American tradition, and a return to in-person efficiency after two years of digital applications in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Returning to the Convention Heart stage added larger that means to this 12 months’s theme, “Juntos es Mejor,” or “Higher Collectively,” mentioned Israel Gonzalez Nieri, the music director.
“We’ve been aside for 2 years,” he mentioned. “However most significantly, ‘Luz de las Naciones’ has grow to be a household for me and I believe it has grow to be a household for a lot of, many individuals.”
Performers dance throughout a gown rehearsal for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ annual celebration of Latin American tradition “Luz de las Naciones” in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor within the First Presidency, attended this system within the Convention Heart along with his spouse, Sister Kristen Oaks.
“Luz de las Naciones” gives a means for a lot of to reconnect with roots and be taught to understand different cultures, mentioned Elder Federico M. Kähnlein, an Space Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“It is a approach to get collectively, get to know different cultures and bear in mind our cultures,” he mentioned. “There’s a sense a unity, of belonging, and it’s open to all people. It’s a approach to really feel and bear in mind what’s vital to us.”
Though planning and organizing the occasion generally felt like beginning a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, Elder Kähnlein mentioned many witnessed miracles and felt heavenly help all through the method.
Performers dance throughout a gown rehearsal for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ annual celebration of Latin American tradition, “Luz de las Naciones,” in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
This system featured a 300-member choir, a full orchestra, and greater than 200 dancers in colourful costumes who carried out numbers representing Ecuador, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico and Chile.
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivered a message of unity as a part of this system. The Apostle from Brazil additionally expressed gratitude for every performer and all who’ve contributed to this celebration of Hispanic tradition during the last 20 years.
“I hope that you’re having fun with this event and which you could really feel how the unity of thought, tradition, emotion and religion are vital parts of our unity with God and his Son Jesus Christ,” Elder Soares mentioned in Spanish. “By way of the Savior’s Atonement, we are able to dwell in unity and luxuriate in peace on this life and put together to dwell with the Father and His Son endlessly. I consider that every of us can foster that norm of unity amongst our pals, our household, our neighborhood and particularly those that are completely different from us.”
Performers dance throughout a gown rehearsal for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ annual celebration of Latin American tradition “Luz de las Naciones” in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
The chance to carry out in “Luz de las Naciones” was the success of a lifelong dream for Martha Alejandra Vera Rodriguez, a 24-year-old girl from Guayaquil, Ecuador.
She grew up watching recordings of the performances and developed a ardour for dancing via her mom’s Ecuadorian dance firm. She dreamed of in the future coming to Utah to bounce on the Convention Heart stage.
Sporting a white shirt and blue skirt with a brimmed hat on Saturday night, Vera Rodridguez smiled and waved her yellow handkerchief as she bounced and moved to the music of the Ecuadorian track “Por Eso Te Quiero, Cuenca” (“That’s why I Love You, Cuenca,” a scenic metropolis in Ecuador).
Martha Alejandra Vera Rodriguez and different performers dance throughout a gown rehearsal for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ annual celebration of Latin American tradition “Luz de las Naciones” in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
After just a few unsuccessful makes an attempt, Vera Rodridgez was lastly capable of come to Utah to check English final 12 months. She practiced dancing for a number of months to arrange to audition for “Luz de las Naciones.” Tears started to move as she described her lengthy journey to this second, the difficulties and why it meant a lot. She expressed love and appreciation for her Heavenly Father, her household and lots of “marvelous” pals for his or her unwavering help alongside the best way.
“That is the primary time they’ve included a quantity from Ecuador. It’s particular for me to bounce for Ecuador as a result of that’s the place I’m from and all my household and pals will be capable to see me,” she mentioned in Spanish. “Nevertheless it’s not nearly me, it’s particular for all of us. We have now come collectively and really feel like household on this efficiency. I don’t have the phrases to specific how I’ve felt every day and in each rehearsal.”
Soloist Alex Melecio’s involvement with “Luz de las Naciones” goes again to 2007. The native of Mexico was joined on this 12 months’s efficiency by his youngsters, 14-year-old twins David and Cami, who performed the cello and viola within the orchestra.
Soloist Alex Melecio sings throughout a gown rehearsal for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ annual celebration of Latin American tradition “Luz de las Naciones” in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
Melecio sang 4 songs this 12 months, together with one from Disney’s “Encanto” and one other in a Mexican mariachi outfit. He liked the high-energy music and the way it introduced folks from completely different cultures collectively, even on a deeper, religious degree.
“The aim of the occasion, the why behind it, and the truth that you will be part of such an ideal highly effective trigger, there’s one thing particular about it. You’ll be able to really feel it, it’s palpable,” he mentioned. “It’s a blessing.”
“Luz de las Naciones” can be obtainable for on-demand viewing on the published web page of ChurchofJesusChrist.org in English, Portuguese and Spanish, in addition to the Church’s Spanish YouTube channel starting Nov. 19.
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