Barnas Xibalba 2024 was a blast. Facepanting, storytelling, songs, good food and good company. Bertha Caceres, Alejo Conejo and Cristian Ruiz, Arturo Tovar, Mascaritas, the homage to Liam Payne, our singing children, Luna Horns and Patricia Morales offered a complete educational and entertaining show for the whole family.
After the break Adrian Lara, accompanied by Luis Fernando Amaya, Maria Cornelia Lund, Halvor Olsen and Shirley Langhelle offered us a raw acoustic sound with a mix of traditional and classical instruments masterfully played and complemented with symbolic elements and dance.
Then begun the opening ceremony. Mictecacihuatl initiates the dance and makes offerings to bring Mictlantecuhtli to overpowering sit on the upper throne and preside all of the following concerts and homages to our departed.
Luis Fernando Amaya was then ready for his show. It comprised symbolism, reading and experimental music in a very educational presentation that illustrated the hardness Mexicans had to endure through history, from colonisation to local politics and the waves it makes all the way to the present day.
Then came Lillebjørn Nilsens Visseskat, an homage to one of our national treasures, a singer songwriter to be remembered and cherished. Hege Rimestad, Lars Lothe Holm and Robert Rustad Amundsen performed a perfect love letter to Lillebjørn Nilsen’s legacy with an honest, sweet and masterfully delivered rendition of some of his songs and emotional moments like the one where the audience quietly sang along to the chorus of “en himmelen full av stjerner”.
When the moment came, the house band were brought from the underworld followed by Ingvild Skarv with her concept show called “the fisherman’s wife”. Haunting sustained notes followed by heavy rhythms and intense vocals filled with raw longing and heartache comprised a powerful performance.
Bruna Santana entered the stage with two homages, to Tanya Oliver, a well known and dear community staple in the Oslo Latin community, especially Brazilians, and legendary musician Sergio Mendes, both departed during 2024. Her silky voice filled the room with the best Brazilian vibes.
To top the main event, Patricia Morales played a short semi electronic set with Valerio Bottari and then was joined by Luna Horns entering the stage at the authentic style of a typical Mexican marching band. Then they all joined the house band to perform traditional Mexican songs for Día de Muertos in an epic and explosive way, completing Xibalba 2024.
The evening event was Santeros, a tribute band to Santana with a selection of classic Santana songs for everybody’s delight, where rock and latin music complete a fusion of styles to everyone’s delight.
Xibalba 2024 was an intense experience, with many artists, volunteers, food, music, poetry, stories and cultures from over the world converging over the concept of Día de Muertos, the day we celebrate life and honour our departed. Next year we’ll continue sharing our traditions together.