May 22 will be considered a day of mourning in the department of Cesar, after the death on the night of this Tuesday, May 21, of the vallenato music minstrel, Omar Geles Suárez.
This was established by the Government of Cesar, by issuing decree No. 000100 of May 21, 2024, “By which a day of mourning is decreed in the department of Cesar in honor of the Minstrel and Master of Vallenata Music Omar Gels.”
“The moment we live in is incredible, we never thought we would lose a loved one like teacher Omar Geles so quickly. He flies high charismatic friend. “What great pain we have left,” said the governor, Elvia Milena Sanjuan, upon hearing the news of the singer-songwriter’s death.
The president also expressed: “The notes of your accordion and your countless beautiful compositions were the faithful reflection of your joy and the purest feeling of your love. “Today we all mourn the departure of the maestro, the minstrel, King Vallenato.”
Omar Geles, 57 years old, is considered one of the best accordion players in vallenato, in addition to his outstanding talent for composition (more than 900 songs) and singing.
In addition, he was the forger of an entire school of talent, giving the opportunity to venture into musical success to other singer-songwriters such as Patricia Therán, Ana del Castillo, Silvestre Dangond, Adriana Lucía and many others who grew up and have triumphed with him. in the vallenato world
The funerals
Surrounded by the affection of the Vallenato people, the body of maestro Omar Geles is kept in a burning chamber, in the auditorium of the Rafael Carrillo Lúquez Departmental Library, in Valledupar.
Next to his coffin, the wax sculpture that as a tribute to this minstrel will be kept in the Cultural and Convention Center of Vallenata Music and that was unveiled the previous year at a public event, in which this maestro emotionally sang his songs.
The body of Omar Geles will be transferred in the afternoon to the stage of the Plaza Alfonso López, where at 6:00 pm a tribute is planned to be paid by his colleagues in Vallenato music.
This Thursday, May 23, starting at 8:00 am, the formal acts prior to the burial will begin; At 9:30 am there will be the open-air religious ceremony in the same Plaza Alfonso López and from there the remains will leave for the Jardines del Ecce Homo Cemetery where at 11:00 am family, friends and hundreds of followers will give their last respects. bye bye.
Omar Geles knew how to be a friend, more than a colleague, which is why so many of them came to express their pain at the departure of the teacher, the owner of the smile that illuminated the roads.
The vallenato music singers Wilfran Castillo and Iván Villazón, Jean Carlos Centeneno, Felipe Peláez, Silvestre Dangond, among many others, together with the accordion player Rolando Ochoa, came to the departmental library of Valledupar to say goodbye to their great friend Omar Geles.
The decree
The following are the articles of the decree, signed by the governor of Cesar, Elvia Milena Sanjuan Dávila:
Article 1. Decree May 22, 2024 as an official day of mourning throughout the territory of the Department of Cesar in deep honor and respect for the memory of the Minstrel and Master of Vallenata Music Omar Geles.
Article 2. During this day of mourning, all flags on public buildings and official department headquarters will be flown at half-mast, as a sign of mourning and reverence.
Article 3. Invite the educational and cultural community and all citizens to participate in commemorative events and reflections on the life and work of Omar Geles, to keep his memory and legacy alive.
Article 4. Suspend all official festive activities scheduled for the day of mourning, as a show of respect and solidarity with the pain that overwhelms our community.
Article 5. Call on the local media to join this tribute, dedicating their programming to the dissemination of the work and legacy of Omar Geles during this day of mourning.
Article 6. This decree takes effect from the date of its issuance.
