- Title: SYRIA: Julio Iglesias performs in the historic city of Bosra
- Date: 13th July 2008
- Summary: (MER2) DAMASCUS, SYRIA (JULY 9, 2008) (REUTERS) IGLESIAS ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE HALL PHOTOGRAPHERS CAMERA FILMING WHILE IGLESIAS TAKING A SEAT (SOUNDBITE) (English) JULIO IGLESIAS, SPANISH SINGER, SAYING: "Playing in historical places is a privilege because the sound is a natural sound and also you imagine the great speeches through the years of the people and you think
- Embargoed: 28th July 2008 13:00
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- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVADEC2ZX9DEG8ZV57190ETTV90K
- Story Text: Legendary Spanish singer Julio Iglesias holds his first-ever performance in Syria in the ancient city of Bosra.
Syrian audience members embraced Spanish legend Julio Iglesias as he held his first concert in Syria at the historical city of Bosra on Thursday (July 10).
The sold-out concert was held at the ancient Nabatian city, once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia, which was announced a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).
Iglesias performed in a 2nd century Roman amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in the world. The venue is part of the Bosra al-Cham fortress, and its various sections can seat up to 15,000 spectators.
The 65-year-old crooner told reporters in Damascus he was excited to perform at such an ancient venue.
"Playing in historical places is a privilege because the sound is a natural sound and also you imagine the great speeches through the years of the people and you think that you are one of them two thousand years ago. I imagine that it will be a great memories for me and my kids and my family and my people to see that I was able to sing in such a beautiful place like Bosra," Iglesias told a news conference on Wednesday (July 9).
Last year, his 33-year-old son, Enrique, made an historical performance in Syria by being the first Western pop artist to perform in the county for more that 30 years.
This year, Iglesias was invited to perform in the country as part of series of events marking the Syrian capital Damascus as the Arab Cultural Capital for 2008.
One of the world's best selling singers, Iglesias' concert was expected to attract thousands of Arab fans, and local organisers started with preparations months in advance.
Mohammed al-Hraki of the Ninar Company which organised the event said they prepared the largest section of the amphitheatre for the event.
"The area fits three thousand people, so we divided the theatre in such a way to be able to fit in to this number. We expected a full house to such an event, and this indeed is what happened. We had about three thousand audience members," said al-Hraki.
"We will try to organise more such arts and cultural events to support the art movement in Syria and to show the civilised side of Syria," al-Hraki said.
The Bosra concert was one of 20 performances Iglesias has scheduled for his summer tour.
The Spanish singing legend recorded 77 albums and has sold over 250 million copies in 14 languages. Since he gained international prominence in the 1970s as a performer of romantic ballads, he has performed in about 5,000 concerts world-wide. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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