Botero Among Latins Honored by French Senate

On Thursday, the French Senate held a ceremony to honor Latin American artists living and working in France.

The most recognized among them was Colombian painter Fernando Botero, but he was accompanied by such talents as Venezuelan violinist Alexis Cardenas, Paraguayan harpist Ismael Ledesma, and Cuban painter Lorenzo Padilla among others. It was the second year that the French Senate dedicated a day to Latin Americans and the Caribbean, but the event marked the first time that the Senate had actually presented them with medals. During the event, the President of the Senate Jean-Pierre Bel made homage to Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes who passed away on the 15^th of May.

Botero, 80, is one of the most well-known painters and sculptors alive today. His style is characterized by his emphasis on exaggeratedly disproportionate people, which he paints with reverence and great taste. The native of Medellin came to the forefront of Colombian art in 1958 when he won the first prize at the Salon de Artistas Colombianos and has even referred to himself as "the most Colombian of Colombian artists." In 1992, Botero was asked to exhibit some of his paintings in Paris on the Champs Elysee. Botero told ElColombiano.com that his passion for painting had not diminished and that he was as passionate about it as ever before. Botero's famous Adam and Eve statues are currently standing in the lobby of the Columbus Circle Shops in New York City.

The festivities for the Day of Latin Americans ended with a concert at the Senate Gardens and a reception at the Latin American House in Paris.

The Senate was also going to recognize Mexican tenor Rolando Villazon and former Brazilian soccer player Rai, but neither could attend due to schedule constraints. Villazon has performed at opera houses around the world including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera in London, and the Vienna State Opera among others. He also appeared as the hosts for reality TV show "Popstar to Opera Star" alongside "Dancing with the Stars" Runner-up Katherine Jenkins.