The National System of Band Art of Venezuela paid homage to the Patron Saint of the East with an emotional thanksgiving mass in the Minor Basilica of El Valle del Espíritu Santo, in the municipality of García in the state of Nueva Esparta.
The liturgical ceremony replaced the traditional parade of Show Bands this year, in an initiative that arose as a gesture of respect and support towards the families affected by the earthquake recorded on June 24.
"This year we were celebrating 19 years of history, but because of what happened in La Guaira we decided to change the parade for a day of prayer for our brothers, because we also lost many students in that tragedy," explained Julián Gómez, executive director of the National System of Band Art of Venezuela.
Around 17 marching bands from the island region gathered near the Marian shrine. During the ceremony, the musicians united their instruments into a single voice to offer a prayer for peace, the healing of the country, and the eternal rest of those who lost their lives during the natural disaster.
For her part, Celmarys Velásquez, president of the Autonomous Institute for Cultural Development of the State of Nueva Esparta (Iadecebne), highlighted the spiritual value of the event, which accompanies the region's musical movement. "Today, music becomes a prayer; it is a way to ask for comfort, love, and faith for the entire Nueva Esparta community to honor our Patron Saint," Velásquez stated.
The devotion was also reflected in the feelings of the young performers who attended the event dressed in their formal uniforms. Joseph Marcano, a member of the Santiago Mariño Show Band, shared the purpose that brought them together at the altar.
"We have come once again to pay homage to the Virgin of the Valley. We always pray for our families and for our band, but after the events of June 24, we especially ask for strength for all the affected families in La Guaira," Marcano said.
Under the motto "Music and devotion are transformed into an embrace of hope," the eastern community and the guild of show bands reaffirmed their faith in the Patron Saint of the East, uniting art and spirituality in a collective message of solidarity and resilience.
