Congress of Colombia paid tribute to Fernando Botero

Bogotá, Sep 25 (Prensa Latina) Senators and representatives of the Chamber today paid tribute to maestro Fernando Botero, on the last day of his funeral in the Elliptical Hall of the headquarters of the Colombian Congress.

Bogotá, Sep 25 (Prensa Latina) Senators and representatives of the Chamber today paid tribute to maestro Fernando Botero, on the last day of his funeral in the Elliptical Hall of the headquarters of the Colombian Congress.

«In the Congress of the Republic we pay tribute to the life and work of maestro Fernando Botero, icon of Latin American art. In his legacy we can find part of our history, our culture, our joys, desires, pains and horrors. We hug his family," said the senator of the Historical Pact María José Pizarro.

Likewise, Congresswoman Clara López highlighted that Botero "exalted the name of Colombia through art and his legacy will live forever."

"Thank you, master, for his art, for his legacy, translated into peace," said the senator of the Comunes Party Sandra Ramírez, who assured that the greatest plastic artist in Colombia will be a reference for the arts and youth.

At the Congress venue, where the artist's wake has been held since last Thursday, Lina, Botero's daughter, expressed very moved, on behalf of her family, the most heartfelt gratitude for the welcome throughout these five days.

"More than 20 thousand people from all social strata entered the Capitol and paraded through this hall to pay respects to my father and say goodbye to him, with love, with tenderness, with gratitude," she emphasized.

Lina assured that the wish of her children and her father to return to his homeland was fulfilled, to the country that she loved so much and that she always had inscribed in her heart.

«We also appreciate the gesture of the government of having brought the Dove of Peace from the Nariño Palace (seat of the presidency) to vigil over the mortal remains of my father: that gift that he gave to the country as a symbol of the peace that he longed for so much. for us Colombians," he highlighted.

She stressed that she and her brothers Juan Carlos and Fernando were committed to preserving, protecting and disseminating her work in all corners of the world.

"We are left with the example of him as a human being, his greatness, his generosity, his sensitivity towards the needs of others (...), but above all we are left with his simplicity," she said through tears.

After these days of funeral honors, a funeral mass for Maestro Botero was celebrated in the Primada Cathedral, in the historic center of Bogotá, which was attended by the President of the Republic, Gustavo Petro.

After the ceremony, the maestro's coffin will be taken to the Botero Museum, located in La Candelaria, the historical and cultural center of Bogotá.