The writer and singer Leonardo Asturias never imagined that he would meet his idol in Antigua Guatemala. A little nervous, but armed with value, took his guitar and started a serenade in front of the restaurant where he was The Guatemalan Music Master Ricardo Arjona. To his surprise, the singer -songwriter approached him and shared with him a short, but unforgettable moment.
With a shared dream, Asturias confesses that his greatest yearning is to be recognized for his music and transmit messages through his lyrics. The encounter with the teacher, as Arjona calls, symbolizes for him effort and example, because he considers that the artist drew the way for the new generations.
In an interview with Free presshe said with emotion how the encounter happened. It was a Friday, while making a delivery after leaving one of his various jobs, when he ran into the interpreter of Caveman In a restaurant in Antigua Guatemala.
Upon entering, he noticed several people outside. When passing by one of the tables and greeting with a “good afternoon,” he turned and recognized Ricardo Arjona Enjoying your lunch. He believes that it was his tone of voice that caught the attention of the artist, who looked at him for a few seconds.
After completing his delivery, he asked the owner of the restaurant if he could sing. With his approval, he ran for his guitar.
“I just do it, but that day I wasn’t prepared.” However, I said: this moment is not repeated, ”says Asturias.
He returned to the place and started playing.
“She told me:” If I were an artist, I would flatter what you are doing. ” That gave me strength to stay, ”says.
As he sang on the outskirts of the restaurant, he thought the singer -songwriter would not leave. However, at one point, Arjona decided to do it.
—Primero looks out his team to see who was singing and then he comes out and says: “What are you singing?”, Thus, with his typical way of being. I say: “You, teacher.” Then they laugh, greet us and leave – remember with emotion.
Asturias admits that he could barely articulate words. Between the emotion, the nerves and the pride, he stayed blank. But when Arjona went up to his vehicle, he took value again and continued singing from the outside.
“Maybe I had to touch the window, but I didn’t know what to do.” I was singing from the outside, without expecting anything else, ”he says.
He emphasizes that Arjona’s humanity and simplicity gave him five unique minutes that he felt eternal.
More than an anecdote, it defines the moment as a revelation.
“From the child I admire him.” If I have had value to sing in bars, travel to other cities or dream of arriving in Mexico, it is because he did it first. He drew the way.
Read more: Ricardo Arjona in Antigua Guatemala: The typical candy that caught his attention
The impulse I needed
Still excited about the meeting, Leonardo Asturias stressed that this act of singing Ricardo Arjona gave him the impulse he needed to continue fighting to make a musical career from Guatemala.
He reports that, days later, he first encouraged to sing in the Central Park of Antigua Guatemala, which allowed several places to contact him to invite him to appear.
“I am like an artistic baptism.” I was splashed by the teacher, ”he laughs.
Asturias cataloged the moment lived with Arjona as unique and states that he demonstrates the humility and humanity of the artist.
“He might not have approached.” But he did. And that confirms that Ricardo is still the usual, the one who grew up in Jocotenango. It shows that it does not forget where it comes from.
On the way to fulfill a dream
As Ricardo Arjona, the young man with Guatemalan and Salvadoran roots, combines several trades to record his first album, with whom he hopes to make his way in the music industry, both nationally and internationally.
With what brings together, it also seeks to publish a novel about the last 100 years of History shared between Guatemala and El Salvador.
“Being an artist in Guatemala is not easy.” Here you have to chop stone. But one must try to fulfill his dream. I prefer to be someone who tried to keep the doubt, ”he said.
Finally, he stressed:
“That people like Arjona, whom I call pagan gods, approach us makes us believe that we are also capable.”
A dream that, with guitar in hand, now does not seem so far away.
If you want to support him in his musical project, you can make your contribution to account No. 3150153355 of the Industrial Bank, in the name of José Leonardo Benjamín Asturias Herrera. (Photo: Free Press / Leonardo Asturias)