Santiago Arboleda Ocampo Musician and psychologist from Pereira, Colombia

Since I was little, my mother encouraged me to participate in music classes. There and with my family, I learned to love all kinds of instruments and music throughout the years: latin music, rock, pop, folk, and everything in between. I really enjoyed it and, without realizing it, music became my language for emotion, love and spirituality. It allowed me to express feelings when words came short, and in the times that I needed others, music helped bring them close to me; it got me into bands, choirs, and made me meet the people I love the most. Now I am part of multiple choirs, I compose and produce, and I’m singing or tapping my fingers most of the time. So music really is a magnetic force for me, and I’m happiest when I am with it.

In the context of the 2020 LIJPE, a wonderful literature festival that was organized here in Pereira, I was attending a virtual conference with Adolfo Cordova, who by the time was staying with Cornelia at her farm in Malibu. She was invited to say hi to everyone, but little did we know that she would offer out of the magic of her heart an artistic residence! She invited the attendees to make a piece, of any art, of one of Adolfo’s books, “El dragón blanco y otros personajes olvidados”, and she would invite the person that made the one that she and Adolfo liked the most. I submitted a composition based on one of the stories of the book, “La hermosa niña de pelo turquesa”. In it, a girl, who is also a fairy, dances around an army turning them into a forest. So I tried to combine both themes, with some marching percussion and strings contrasting with a delicate and crystalline melody. And they liked it! Me and other 8 artists were invited, and it was a wonderful time.

Absolutely! Most of all, it allowed me to slow down and rest so I could better listen in order to compose. You could sing or write about every corner and person in Fraggina, but a quiet mind is best to take it all in. The first few days I was worried that I would not be able to shape up something good, but as time went on, more ideas flowed. It really helped that everyone was very supportive and open for conversation.

Apart from some curious rocks from the side of the road that I now treasure, I brought back more energy to put into music making and into engaging with other art enthusiasts. I also brought home ideas for songs that I am currently working on, and the idea of resting that I was talking about. And, of course, the wonderful memories of visiting Fraggina and Italy.