Spanish
Ciudad Juárez (Mexico).- The house of the Mexican singer Juan Gabriel, converted into a museum nine months ago, has established itself as one of the main tourist and cultural attractions of the border city of Ciudad Juárez, receiving more than 20,000 national and foreign visitors.
The Juan Gabriel Museum opened its doors last August, and since then, it has become a meeting space with the history, music, and legacy of the so-called 'Divo de Juárez', one of the most beloved artists in Mexico.
“It's a historic house that has been visited over several years by many fans from different cities in Mexico, Central America, and the United States,” explained architect Felipe Rojas, director of the Juan Gabriel Foundation, during a guided tour of the museum this Saturday.
Thanks to an alliance between the Aguilera family and the municipal government, Juan Gabriel's residence reopened as an immersive museum in Ciudad Juárez, on the border with the United States, where the urn containing his ashes is located.
“We are very motivated because many of the fans come with the desire to know his house, his history and to walk the steps he took in this city,” added Rojas.
For the director of the foundation, the story of 'Juan Ga' cannot be told without talking about Ciudad Juárez, nor can the identity of this city be understood without mentioning the artist who passed away on August 28, 2016.
“Juan Gabriel represents us as that hardworking, honest person who never forgot his people or his city. Part of the purpose of this museum is to show the best of the people of Juarez, just as he did through his songs,” he stated.
The tour, which lasts approximately two hours, is guided in groups of 20 people and includes a scenic projection, a visit to the house and its gardens, as well as anecdotes, photographs, and a reunion with the singer-songwriter's music.
Presentation Letter from Ciudad Juárez
Rojas added that the museum "contributes to the community by promoting entertainment tourism".
"Many fans come exclusively to Ciudad Juárez to visit this place, which also boosts the local economy. Hoteliers, restaurateurs, transporters, everyone benefits," he detailed.
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More than a tribute, the Juan Gabriel Museum is a presentation letter from Ciudad Juarez to the world, he pointed out.
“It's a pretext to reconnect with his music, but also to get to know the land that saw him grow up, that cheerful Juárez that his songs spoke so much about,” Rojas expressed.
As a complement to this cultural route, the city also houses the Germán Valdés 'Tin Tán' Art Hall, a space dedicated to the iconic actor and comedian originally from this border city.
This museum, -which is also promoted within the framework of the Border Book Fair that takes place this weekend-, offers screenings, workshops and a permanent exhibition on the life and work of the so-called 'Pachuco de Oro'.
