Ivano carries the radio, and begins singing under the balconies of the residents of a neighborhood in Caracas, initiating them because they are unable to leave their homes in the time of Corona.
"It's a beautiful thing," says Ivano Pecardo, 35, wearing a hat, as residents of the Venezuelan capital begin to peer over their balconies to see where the singing comes from. Ivano, whose smile does not leave his face, puts the audio devices on the sidewalk to begin broadcasting pre-recorded music, and accompanies her with his voice and dance over a period of 45 minutes. The artist chooses songs from the extensive Venezuelan musical heritage. The initiative has won the admiration of the residents of the middle-class neighborhood of Colinas de Belo Monte, in the southeast of Caracas.
Filmer Gonzalez, the 39th employee, listens to Ivano from his balcony. He says: "Many people feel uncomfortable and suffer from depression, but the visit of Ivano raises the mood."
Since March 17, Venezuela has witnessed near-total closures, approved by Socialist President Nicholas Maduro, to contain the spread of the new Corona virus. Only exit to the "supermarket" and doctor's visits is permitted.
"Depression and isolation cause stress," added Ivano. He sings alternately with his partner Leonila, and he wants to be a "breathing room for people."
This musical station begins and ends with the song "Alma Yanera", which the Venezuelans consider their unofficial anthem. In the lyrics to the song, performed by Ivano: "I love and laugh, I sing and dream." Some residents, wearing masks, take to the street to provide sweets, coffee and water to the artists and the technical team, while others record the ceremony on their phones.
As Leonella Delgado stresses accompanying Ivano to sing: "It is important that we give some joy and amusement to people, I was very moved to see grandmothers dancing." The concerts initiative was launched by the municipality of a Caracas neighborhood, drawing inspiration from what is happening in Italy, one of the countries worst affected by Covid-19 disease.
- Ivano Piccardo:
"Isolation causes stress ... We want to be an outlet for people."