PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES END WITH A COLORFUL CEREMONY FULL OF MUSIC AND DANCE

The Parapan American Games ended with a spectacular and colorful ceremony full of fireworks, music and dance. The ceremony brought together 1890 Para athletes from 30 countries of the continent.

The closing ceremony, held in the Athletics Stadium at VIDENA, was based on the concept of the celebration of the human spirit and the Parapan American values: inspiration, determination, courage and equality.

The event began with a display of fireworks that dazzled the sky of Lima, this wonderful and colorful show was fully enjoyed by the spectators.

After that, the band Laguna Pai delighted the public with its music, which is a fusion of rock and reggae, loaded with a deep message on topics such as conservation, love, honesty, happiness and resilience.

Next, the flags of the 30 participating nations entered the sports venue and an athlete representative offered a Milco figurine to the volunteer representatives, as a way to thank them for their invaluable contribution to the Games.

Afterwards, a video was played in recognition of the volunteers’ excellent work in this sports event. A mosaic made with the faces of hundreds of volunteers was also displayed on the backdrop of the stage.

Immediately, Desirée Núñez del Prado and Javier Morales, marinera world champions, performed this traditional and representative dance of our country.

After that, the folk indie band We The Lion took the stage to perform the best of their musical repertoire. Immediately after, a video with the most emotional and exciting moments from the ten days of extraordinary sport achievements was presented.

During the official ceremony, the President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, made a positive balance of the Parapan American Games and at the same time he mentioned the values that these sports competitions leave in the Peruvian society.

The President of the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC), Julio César Ávila, thanked Peru for the successful organization and development of these Games, and expressed that he will take home a good impression of our country.

After his speech, the APC flag went down to the beat of the Paralympic anthem and the Lima Deputy Mayor, Miguel Romero, handed it over to the President of the Americas Paralympic Committee who, in turn, handed it to the Chile Deputy Secretary of Sports, Andrés Otero.

The National Anthem of Chile was performed by Isidora Guzmán, the former child symbol of Chile’s 2015 Telethon. After that, Los Jaivas—a legendary Chilean band—took the stage to the delight of the audience.

The renowned singer Eva Ayllón introduced the two children who starred in the Parapan American Opening Ceremony and, at the same time, performed her song “Canción con todos.” At this moment, the cauldron flame was gradually extinguished and Eva Ayllón continued performing on stage accompanied by a cajon performance.

To bring down the curtain on this majestic closing ceremony, the cumbia orchestra Los Hermanos Yaipén set the stage for the end of the celebration with their contagious songs that made the Para athletes and public dance at the VIDENA.

It is important to mention that this final event was in charge of the Peruvian creative director, Juan Carlos Fisher, whose theatrical productions have been appreciated by more than one million people. Among them are: el Hombre Almohada, Rojo, La Cage aux Folles, Bicho, Hairspray, Full Monty, Corazón Normal, Incendios, Mamma Mia!, Las Brujas de Salem, Toc Toc, Agosto and Billy Elliot, Pantaleon y las Visitadoras and El Padre.