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Celia Cruz’s musical and historical legacy continues to impact the Hispanic and Latino community. Although Cruz was born in Cuba, Colombia adopted the salsa singer as a native; therefore, to honor her contributions, the Salsa Museum of Cali will showcase a dress donated to the institution by her representative, Omer Pardillo.
On September 9 at 6:00 p.m., the director of the Salsa Museum, Carlos Molina Jr., will officially present one of Celia’s iconic outfits as a cultural exchange. According to the museum, the dress is donated through the Celia Cruz Foundation after three years of conversations between the important salsa pilgrimage space and the foundation.
“My father was a personal friend of Celia Cruz and because of the museum’s affinity, the relationship was facilitated. The pandemic, unemployment and other obstacles had not allowed us to bring the dress, but it is here,“ said Carlos Molina Jr., director of the Salsa Museum.
For Molina, having the Celia Cruz dress in Cali allows the city to gain even more recognition. “With this, the city earns cultural exchange, recognition of what Cali is and what it gave to Celia. He highlighted that she is an essential female representative of Latin music, not only for salsa but also for rhythm in Latin America.
The official presentation of La Guarachera de Cuba’s dress also comes alongside a collection of photographs and elements of the salsa ecosystem with an important cultural space.
On July 16, 2003, the entertainment industry lost one of its best Latin recording artists. Celia Cruz, also known as “La Guarachera de Cuba” and “La Reina de la Salsa,” passed away in New Jersey months after recovering from surgery to remove an aggressive brain tumor.
During her career, the Cuban-American singer and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century released hit after hit. Today, 18 years after her death she is remembered for songs such as “Bemba colorá,” “Quimbara,” “La vida es un carnaval” and ”La negra tiene tumbao.”
Cruz‘s legacy is valued in the whole world; therefore, she has been honored multiple times. Before her death, Cruz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an asteroid was named after her, 5212 Celiacruz. Among her awards, we can find the Excellence Awards at the 1990 Lo Nuestro Awards, and a street in Miami called Celia Cruz Way.
¡Azúcar! Cruz‘s well-known catchphrase still follows the Latinx community everywhere they go. Although Celia is no longer with us, her music is still alive. Her sense of humor, colorful hair, and vibrant fashion are still recreated to honor her contribution to the entertainment industry.
We will remember and miss Celia forever!