On Sunday 15 March, Rosario witnessed an event that will remain etched in the collective memory. The National Flag Monument was not merely a stage, but the meeting point where Fito Páez returned to his hometown for a free, massive concert that will remain forever in the memories of the people of Rosario.
Before the show began – which drew a crowd of over 300,000 people – Governor Maximiliano Pullaro emphasised that “Rosario has returned; and good people have reclaimed public spaces and are enjoying the city once more; and all those who looked upon us with pity three years ago now look upon us with great admiration, because the people of Rosario and Santa Fe were able to unite and managed to emerge from that dark period that hit us so hard; and today we have these wonderful things”. The governor went on to point out that concerts of this kind are not seen in many parts of Argentina: “You have to look hard to find events of this nature and crowds of people gathering to enjoy themselves.” “Rosario’s best days are yet to come, not only because of the public works, but because we are all beginning to come together, to find one another, in this beautiful city that has opened its arms to us,” concluded Pullaro.
For his part, Mayor Pablo Javkin said, “Fito is a son of this city who has come to share his art with us. It’s going to be a historic night—the most historic night yet in terms of audience numbers—and we’re absolutely delighted. It’s a symbol of what Rosario is regaining. Music brings us together at a time when the city has come back to life. And today I saw the whole country talking about it; people are coming from all over Argentina. How wonderful that we have moved from pity to a certain envy.”
The governor was accompanied by the Minister for Productive Development, Gustavo Puccini, and the Minister for Culture, Susana Rueda, who noted that “today this Monument, which has been a symbol of sorrow on many occasions, is now a symbol of joy for public culture.”
Prophet at home
After touring international stages, the musician returned to the place where his story began to put on a full-scale show. It wasn’t just another gig; Fito waived his fee so that everyone could experience and feel the city to the rhythm of his songs. The show was made possible thanks to San Cristóbal Seguros, La Segunda Seguros, Black Room, Holiday Inn, Canut and Quilmes, together with the Government of the Province of Santa Fe and the Municipality of Rosario.
Fito opened the show with the song ‘Tema de Piluso’ and the more than 280,000 people in attendance sang along to ‘Rosario siempre estuvo cerca’; he then took the audience on a journey through his greatest hits, including “Tráfico por Katmandú”, “El Amor Después del Amor”, “11 y 6”, “Yo Vengo a Ofrecer mi Corazón”, “Fue Amor”, “La Rueda Mágica”, “Circo Beat”, “Brillante sobre el Mic”, “A rodar mi Vida”, “Ciudad de Pobres Corazones”, “Del 63” and “Mariposa Tecnicolor”, amongst other hits from his long career.
