Julio Iglesias received by the President of Georgia January 3, 2012

Artculo
Julio Iglesias received by the President of Georgia

January 3, 2012

Julio Iglesias was received by the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, before the beginning of the New Year concert in the city of Batumi. Saakashvili congratulated the megastar on the New Year`s Eve, spoke with him in his native language and showed him the Art Center of Batumi.
Later, an extraordinary concert was held at the Wonderland Square of the city, in which famous Georgian and foreign performers participated along with the Spanish singer.

The President of Georgia and over 50.000 people attended the show. Julio Iglesias addressed the people who were gathered at Wonderland Square and thanked the President and the Georgian people for their warm and heartfelt hospitality.
„I know that Georgian people are very strong and I’m happy that I’m with them today. Mr. President, you have done a lot for this country. I also know that in every house people are watching our concert tonight. Accept my sincere congratulations. Happy New Year Georgia and everyone!” – Iglesias said.

Julio Iglesias puts on an unforgettable night at Independence Park (Tandil, Argentina)

February 6, 2012

diaro La Voz de Tandil, Argentina
More than 35,000 people from Tandil and across the region enjoyed the exceptional Iberian performer.

In front of around 35,000 people, the international star Julio Iglesias started his tour of Buenos Aires province yesterday in Tandil by giving a string of free concerts hosted by the local government. The renowned and legendary Spanish singer put on a heavily attended free show, where he performed songs from his latest album “One” and delighted the audience with timeless classics. He began singing at 8:30 pm, under ideal weather and was very kind and friendly with the audience.

People of all ages, from Tandil and the region, began to gather early at the Independence Park entrance area, where a stunning stage was set up, where Julio Iglesias went over his most emblematic songs and singles from “One”, the latest record from the exceptional musician.

Mr. Iglesias said he was “so happy to be here. I feel great, because I can sing, because the crowd loves me, I feel young”. He confirmed he slept in Tandil last night, “but not with you”, he blurted out jokingly to the journalist who had asked him.

“Singing gives me great satisfaction. At this age many aren’t allowed to keep on singing and yet I still do, and I sing in the bath, to my son, my dog, to everybody”, he said.

Asked about the impression that Tandil had made on him, Iglesias said that “I belong to the stage I sing on. I close my eyes and imagine my parents and grandparents living here Tandil, with these landscapes being so similar to Italy and Spain”.

There was also time to discuss politics and in that way, the singer replied that he had not been tempted to venture unto the political arena despite his fame. “I’m not very into politics and parties. I do believe in managers who love their towns and people. I’m for everyone and for no one”.

He said that before arriving to our city, he was in “Malaysia, Indonesia, Israel, Georgia, Moscow and now I’m very happy to be here. I’m happy and indeed quite thrilled”.

At a show lasting and hour and a half, after being presented by Juan Alberto Mateyko, Julio Iglesias didn’t fail to delight the audience with such classics as “Por el amor de una mujer”, “Me va, me va”, “Bamboleiro”, “Me olvidé de vivir”, “Lo mejor de tu vida”, among others, as well as songs that make up “One”, his latest album, with songs like “Amor, amor, amor”, “Hey!”, “La carretera” and his own versions of “La cumparsita” and “El día que me quieras”, which were sung along to by the huge crowd who enjoyed the great singer.

Julio Iglesias made Governor Scioli get up on stage, who was cheered by the 35,000 people present, and at the end of the concert awards were given to the singer, the governor and those who made up the organization of the unforgettable show.

The Spanish singer’s tour continues now with a similar recital in Lomas de Zamora, on the 7th of February, while on the 10th of February he’ll give an intimate concert at the NH Gran Hotel Provincial and the following day a free concert at the Paseo Hermitage, where a truly huge crowd is expected to turn up.

Julio Iglesias makes 180,000 people vibrate in Argentina

February 15, 2012
43 years have gone by since he began an unstoppable career, but his life has been unique.
Julio Iglesias has returned to Argentina in order to give four unforgettable concerts. The shows drew more than 180,000 people and revealed once again his fans’ unconditional affection.
The press unanimously highlighted the quality and strength of the performances, the singer’s sense of humor and his boundless energy.
The tour has come about after the Argentinian launch of the album „Julio Iglesias 1” second volume, which is enjoying huge success.
In Mar del Plata, where Julio Iglesias attracted more than 40,000 people in Paseo Hermitage, Daniel Scioli, the Governor of the Buenos Aires province, awarded him the Atahualpa Yupanqui, the highest recognition given out by the Buenos Aires Provincial Cultural Institute, for his amazing international career. In the city of Lomas de Zamora, where one of the four shows took place, the local Governor, Martín Insaurralde, handed over the Key of the City and the Distinguished Guest Certificate to Julio Iglesias.

Artculo
Julio Iglesias wowed Bahrain with his voice

March 6, 2012
Julio wows the audience in Bahrain, in his first show in this country, on March 4th. „The Gulf Daily News” published an article entitled „Latino Magic!”, after the performance.

Julio also performed a second show in Bahrain, on March 5th. Both concerts were part of the Spring of Culture Festival, where a large range of international artists, such as Andrea Bocelli, performed.
Artculo
Spanish magazine ¡Hola!: family report and exclusive interview with Julio Iglesias

April 4, 2012
Julio Iglesias, his wife Miranda, and the 5 children of the couple are posing exclusively in their new home in Miami for the Spanish magazine Hola!. (Number 3532,on sale on April 4, 2012).

The photos are accompanied by an interview with the artist.

Julio: „Michael and Rodrigo want to be musicians.”

„The wedding has not changed anything. I have been married to my wife for twenty-two years, since the day I met her. ”

Artculo
The Chilean President declares himself a huge fan of Julio Iglesias

April 11, 2012

Julio Iglesias and the President of Chile, Sebastian Piñera, coincidently bumped into each other yesterday at the Carriel Sur airport in Talcahuano. The chance encounter gave the Chilean President the opportunity to confess the admiration and affection he has had all his life for the singer, and that he also knows all his songs rather well.

“I grew up listening to Julio Iglesias. The first time I saw Julio Iglesias was in the Festival de Viña del Mar, when he was a contestant and he took all the awards. An incredible career”, stated Piñera.

Julio Iglesias: A romantic for three generations
April 23, 2012
By: Alejandra Navarría, diario Los Andes

Julio Iglesias performs in Arena Maipú (Mendoza), Argentina. Charming his fans once again.

Very exited to be on stage, he chatted with the fans, told stories, and reflected on life. He got everyone up clapping and singing. Yes, he moves around a bit slower, but he exudes passion and love for what he does.

Two huge screens on the sides of the stage, an LED backdrop and a band of musicians made up of percussion, drums, keyboards and guitars, as well as 3 backup singers and 2 tango dancers, bringing life to the show. They come from the U.S., Cuba, Spain, Venezuela, Bulgaria and Argentina.

The audience went wild when they saw Julio Iglesias come on stage. As he was greeting everyone, a voice in the crowd (who continued throughout the concert) suddenly shouted „Julio! I love you!”, to which Iglesias replied, „And I do too, darling!”. At 68, for many people the magnetism of the soloist has remained intact.

After that and for more than an hour and a half, the bond that was forged at the Stadium Arena Maipú between Julio Iglesias and the audience was permanent. He began saying „It’s been so many years Mendoza, the last time we parted I was 34, and how nice I used to sing 20 years ago”. He recalled his first time in Argentina and said that since the very first day he’d landed he’s been in love with the people, a fact that led him from North to South and from East to West. Giving concerts around the entire world, the Spaniard performed versions of his songs in Spanish, English, French and Italian.

His first song was „Quijote”, followed by an updated version of „Natalie”. Among the standing ovation, the intimate moment that started was later raised in tone when he sang „La gota fría”. Three shapely backup singers (dressed in tight black clothing), came on stage and to the rhythm of the folk song rallied the audience to sway along to their sensual moves. Julio watched, crossed himself behind one the girls, and gazed admiringly at her legs.

Tango, wine, the Mendozan countryside and the mountains were some of the topics Iglesias refered to. When he sang „A media luz”, an Argentinian Tango couple danced along: Hernán and Soledad, who for 2 years have been accompanying Iglesias in his shows around the world. „I love wine, but I’m drinking water now so I can fill up with wine after the show”, confirmed the singer, „and just like when you mix up together cabernet, malbec and merlot wines together and an exceptional brew comes out, those mendozans I love form the 90’s, my father and mother were mixed up together and I am their wine, do you all know what it’s like to drink a 68 year old wine?” he joked.

In honor of his father, whom he remembered and praised, he sang a song he composed for him called „Un canto a Galicia”. There he chaned the orginal lyrics of the song which said „tenho morrinha, tenho saudade, porque estoy lejos de mis hogares”. The singer has made it known at every opportunity he’s had, how important his family is today and his desire to have them close by.

Iglesias mentioned he ongoing conflict between Spain and Argentina, and said that „love stories last years and are beyond politics and circumstances. My story with you, which has been passed down by grandparents, children and grandchildren, will never end, will stay true for eternity. That’s why I’m singing for the Argentine people”, to which the audience burst into applause.

Unscripted and to the surprise of his musicians, he sang a classical Chilean song a cappella, „Cuyana”, appealing to the help of the Mendozans, „When I go to Chile I’ll go, crossing the mountains….” which left the spectators in absolute silence for some moments, but who were delighted to merely hear the singer’s voice.

„Time flies in my life. We singers keep on going for you. When we are in pain, you take away the pain; when you applaud us you make us young „. And so it was: Julio the eternal, Julio Iglesias with his dedication, turned back time, let us dream and made it clear in Mendoza, that he is a brilliant and romantic survivor, the undisputed nexus of three generations.

Artculo
Julio Iglesias: A romantic for three generations

April 23, 2012

By: Alejandra Navarría, diario Los Andes

Julio Iglesias performs in Arena Maipú (Mendoza), Argentina. Charming his fans once again.

Very exited to be on stage, he chatted with the fans, told stories, and reflected on life. He got everyone up clapping and singing. Yes, he moves around a bit slower, but he exudes passion and love for what he does.

Two huge screens on the sides of the stage, an LED backdrop and a band of musicians made up of percussion, drums, keyboards and guitars, as well as 3 backup singers and 2 tango dancers, bringing life to the show. They come from the U.S., Cuba, Spain, Venezuela, Bulgaria and Argentina.

The audience went wild when they saw Julio Iglesias come on stage. As he was greeting everyone, a voice in the crowd (who continued throughout the concert) suddenly shouted „Julio! I love you!”, to which Iglesias replied, „And I do too, darling!”. At 68, for many people the magnetism of the soloist has remained intact.

After that and for more than an hour and a half, the bond that was forged at the Stadium Arena Maipú between Julio Iglesias and the audience was permanent. He began saying „It’s been so many years Mendoza, the last time we parted I was 34, and how nice I used to sing 20 years ago”. He recalled his first time in Argentina and said that since the very first day he’d landed he’s been in love with the people, a fact that led him from North to South and from East to West. Giving concerts around the entire world, the Spaniard performed versions of his songs in Spanish, English, French and Italian.

His first song was „Quijote”, followed by an updated version of „Natalie”. Among the standing ovation, the intimate moment that started was later raised in tone when he sang „La gota fría”. Three shapely backup singers (dressed in tight black clothing), came on stage and to the rhythm of the folk song rallied the audience to sway along to their sensual moves. Julio watched, crossed himself behind one the girls, and gazed admiringly at her legs.

Tango, wine, the Mendozan countryside and the mountains were some of the topics Iglesias refered to. When he sang „A media luz”, an Argentinian Tango couple danced along: Hernán and Soledad, who for 2 years have been accompanying Iglesias in his shows around the world. „I love wine, but I’m drinking water now so I can fill up with wine after the show”, confirmed the singer, „and just like when you mix up together cabernet, malbec and merlot wines together and an exceptional brew comes out, those mendozans I love form the 90’s, my father and mother were mixed up together and I am their wine, do you all know what it’s like to drink a 68 year old wine?” he joked.

In honor of his father, whom he remembered and praised, he sang a song he composed for him called „Un canto a Galicia”. There he chaned the orginal lyrics of the song which said „tenho morrinha, tenho saudade, porque estoy lejos de mis hogares”. The singer has made it known at every opportunity he’s had, how important his family is today and his desire to have them close by.

Iglesias mentioned he ongoing conflict between Spain and Argentina, and said that „love stories last years and are beyond politics and circumstances. My story with you, which has been passed down by grandparents, children and grandchildren, will never end, will stay true for eternity. That’s why I’m singing for the Argentine people”, to which the audience burst into applause.
Unscripted and to the surprise of his musicians, he sang a classical Chilean song a cappella, „Cuyana”, appealing to the help of the Mendozans, „When I go to Chile I’ll go, crossing the mountains….” which left the spectators in absolute silence for some moments, but who were delighted to merely hear the singer’s voice.

„Time flies in my life. We singers keep on going for you. When we are in pain, you take away the pain; when you applaud us you make us young „. And so it was: Julio the eternal, Julio Iglesias with his dedication, turned back time, let us dream and made it clear in Mendoza, that he is a brilliant and romantic survivor, the undisputed nexus of three generations.
JULIO IGLESIAS is still a heartbreaker

June 22, 2012
The international Singer, Latin star and known heartthrob offered a magnificent concert for a three generation public in the Slovak capital.
Different to other artists who have played in Bratislava, Julio looked happy from the first moment. Before an animated audience, the Spanish artist interpreted his most emblematic songs beginning with the ballad „Nathalie”, following on to the rhythm of „Moralito” and the tango „A media luz”.

Julio Iglesias is a Latin star, but he´s also a master of other classic songs by other authors. This was also confirmed in Bratislava, where he sang, amongst others, „Mammy Blue”, „My Sweet Lord” and „When I Need You”.

Surrounded by a perfect stage, Julio enchanted and made the public fall in love for 120 minutes.

This concert in Bratislava is part of his European tour that continues tomorrow in Prague.

Artculo
Julio Iglesias raises passions on tour

July 5, 2012

Agencia EFE
Julio Iglesias aimed directly at the hearts of his fans and found the target with an emotional concert in which he performed many of his greatest hits and encouraged Spaniards to trust in the country’s ability to overcome its current economic woes.
Wearing a white shirt and jacket, the 68-year-old heartthrob raised the passions of the audience, especially when he took off his jacket and his fans were unable to restrain their shouts of „guapo” and „te quiero” („handsome” and „I love you”).
Both women and men in the audience sang along almost the entire time with Iglesias, and the performer held the microphone out to the crowd a number of times whereupon the fans repeatedly proved that they knew the lyrics to all the songs.
In fact, Iglesias’ musical tour that arrived in Spain on Wednesday night is designed to promote „1,” a double CD on which he has once again recorded the most popular numbers from his lengthy career.
The Spanish crooner stirred the audience with his music but also with his words, speaking a number of times directly to the public.
He became emotional when he spoke about his daughter Chabeli before performing „De niña a mujer” and when he recalled his father before singing „Un canto a Galicia.”
But his family was not the only subject he talked about onstage, although his wife and his five children were in the audience, also referring to his love for Spain and to his concern about the country’s economic situation.
„It’s not fair for a country as beautiful as this one, with such wealth and talent, to be suffering so much. I believe in the future of this country,” he said.

Artculo
My favourite photograph by Julio Iglesias

August 19, 2012

By: Simon Gage, Summer Magazine
„THIS picture of my wife Miranda and me with our children was taken three months ago at our house in Miami. I have five children with Miranda and three with my first wife, Isabel, who I’m still on good terms with. I’m on good terms with everyone. It’s too late in the day for me to fall out with people.

We love living in Miami. It’s a very special place because it has people from all over the world. Also there is water, it’s sunny, there is art and exhibitions and restaurants – what more could you ask?

I met Miranda in Indonesia, in the airport at Jakarta. She was modelling, I was coming to do a concert and we ran into each other. That was 23 years ago and I won’t say it was love at first sight but she was a very beautiful girl who I invited to the concert. Then she went back to Holland but we kept in touch and I invited her to come and see me in Miami.

She was not getting on very well with her boyfriend at that time, so she came over and never left. And I hope she won’t ever leave because I wouldn’t be able to make sense of my life without her.

When I met Miranda, I was a bit of a crazy guy and it wasn’t easy to understand me. But she changed me with love. It’s all about love – it isn’t difficult – and the result is that we have our incredible kids.

When you have children at the age of 25, it’s an emotional thing. But when you do it for the second time, later in life, it’s proof of the respect you have for a woman. People think it takes energy to have children when you’re my age but the opposite is true – they give me energy. The three older ones grew up in Miami, too.
After the divorce, they stayed with their mother. But when my father was kidnapped by Basque separatists, Isabel agreed that I should take our children for their own safety.

None of them seem like American children to me – they seem like Latinos. And the wonderful thing is that all my kids – from both mums – love each other like crazy. The little ones listen to my son Enrique’s music 24 hours a day. This house is full of Enrique and Julio Jr. I don’t even exist for them. But that’s OK – I’m more than happy with it.

When you travel the world like I do, you see it changing. I used to spend all my spare time in China because my ex-wife’s family was living there. At that time it was all bicycles, and now it’s all cars. Everything changes. You see that in the future everyone is going to get together. Borders just don’t mean anything any more – they can’t keep out the feelings between people.”

Artculo
Passion is in my DNA

August 21, 2012

By: Chrissy Iley, Daily Mail – Weekend Magazine
Julio Iglesias tells how the three great loves of his life are wine, women and song – but he’s trying to give one up…

Julio Iglesias is lounging by one of his pools in his compound in Marbella in Spain. He’s wearing cropped Chinos, a white linen shirt – no longer undone to the waist – and the same leather shoes with thin soles he’s been wearing all his life.
They’re like ballet slippers. At 68 he’s still handsome, full of face, full of spirit, but sometimes he seems self-conscious, asking the photographer to shoot from a certain side.

He is very touchy-feely, but he’s limping with a bandaged foot. He says, ‘It’s because I was making love standing on one foot.’ He quickly corrects himself. ‘If only that was possible… When I say making love it’s not related to sex, it’s related to life. You have to keep the passion for everything. That’s how you survive. Passion has been in my DNA for generations.’

In the golf cart he tells me that actually his foot is bandaged because of an accident in the swimming pool and it seems to have provoked old pains.

He started off as a young goalkeeper for Real Madrid, but a car accident when he was 20 left him paralysed. He was told he would never walk again. He began learning the guitar while lying on his back. His determination, and not listening to doctors, meant he regained almost total mobility.

As we drive around his property we pass three separate houses, each with its own infinity pool. We pass the school where five of his eight children study.

The church where, in 2010, he married his girlfriend and the mother of those five children, Miranda Rijnsburger. She is 22 years his junior but looks younger, all pillowy lips and dark blonde hair wet from swimming.

We pass the studio where he has re-recorded his biggest British hit, Begin The Beguine, for an album entitled 1 (all of his number one songs reworked).

He speaks with almost constant sexual innuendo, but where once it might have been a real flirtation, now it’s a joke, poking fun at the notorious lover he was supposed to be.
He tells me, ‘I don’t have a great voice, but that’s not what it’s about. It’s important to have great style. Look at Frank Sinatra.’ He starts singing When Somebody Loves You in the style of Ol’ Blue Eyes and looking directly at me. ‘My 2012 version of Begin The Beguine is very different from the original.’

Once inside he plays it for me. It sounds very modern, very clubby, very summery. ‘My interpretation now is different because my life experience is different. You don’t have the same views as you did 30 years ago.’ In many ways he seems to work harder than he did 30 years ago.

He releases his albums in many languages and tours relentlessly. His children from his second marriage – Miguel, 14, Rodrigo, 12, twins Victoria and Cristina, 11, and Guillermo, five – speak Mandarin, as well as Spanish, English and Dutch, because he realises the importance of the Asian market.

‘I’ve never had a great talent. I have a little talent and a lot of discipline and a good relationship with my brain and heart. There is a saying; there is no better honour in life than that which comes from sacrifice. Sacrifice makes you strong.’ He is big on this.

He meditates every day. He wants to make the most of every moment. ‘I like to exercise. I always walk an hour a day, I swim 250 days a year and I do balancing exercises which take me an hour. To have perfect control this is what I do. If I don’t do it I miss it.

‘I don’t eat much. I drink wine every single night. I love red wine, it’s good for me. I’ve been buying wine for the last 50 years.

The ones I bought when I was 20 for £20 a bottle are now worth £3,000 a bottle. Wine allows me to talk to myself, to reflect. Good wine gives you that in an amazing way. It allows me to get inside my soul and meditate. I live for those moments.

It was once written that he’s had more than 3,000 lovers, a number he’s always said is exaggerated. But there’s no doubt he had a lot of fun. Women used to hide in his hotel rooms after shows and he once admitted sex for him was ‘as vital as sleep’.

Now he realises that this may have hurt many people, including his first wife Isabel Preysler, who he married when he was 26 and she 19. He is close to his older set of children now – Enrique, 37, Julio, 39, and Chabeli, 40 – but he admits, ‘I was not a very good father in that I wasn’t very present.’

There is a sense he wants to make up for this with his second set, who are all with him wherever they are in the world. They come in and out of the house, he introduces them all, they are all very polite.

He was with Miranda for 20 years before they married. Why? ‘My wife is Dutch and very independent. She never wanted or needed to be married.

‘We had a lot of passion and we thought that is enough. But then Guillermo would ask, “Why can you not get married?” So the kid provoked us. We got married for the children, not for us. For me and her, we were always going to be together till the end of time.’

I had read that in the beginning he wasn’t faithful to her, and that she didn’t mind that or even demand it. He looks a little offended.

‘Let’s get straight to the point. I’m a faithful person in these last years. I’m not telling you that’s always been the case, but now I have no interest in the brains and heart of another person because I can’t imagine my life without her brains and heart.
The day I met my wife I understood that she was my life. It happens sometimes. It didn’t happen when I was 32 years old. Then I was crazy.’

The crazy time he’s referring to is the break-up of his first marriage. Isabel could not accept his infidelity. I wonder if he likes to collect women like he likes to collect wine, which is obsessively. He looks hurt and misunderstood, and says sharply, ‘No, not at all. I have respected women from the beginning of my life. I adore women.’

Men who say they love women often love more than one of them at the same time. ‘Men are all the same and I’m quite sure men who love women will never stop loving women, but it’s not like that for me today because that takes incredible energy and I’d rather share that energy with my family.’

If he had met his current wife when he was 20 would he have behaved differently? ‘I can’t answer that question. At that time I was flirting. I like to flirt with life. But now, if I see a beautiful woman do I want to use that energy in trying to conquer her? No. Never again. Finished.’

Staff in white uniforms give us delicious tortillas. They remain on the property all year even though he is only here for two months of it.
Yet this is not a man who is content. What makes him happy? ‘Happy is something that confuses me. I’m not a happy man. Basically I put situations in front of me and I accomplish.

‘Happy means content and I am not content. That would be very ageing. I don’t want to sit here waiting for something to happen. I want to make it happen.’

Fire in Malaga: A paradise destroyed
September 2, 2012
By: Pedro Luis Gómez, Diario Sur

Almost 500 acres of the estate of Julio Iglesias, destroyed by flames. – The singer is devastated by the tragedy, «whose worst result is the loss of human life»

It’s as if Malaga does not deserve a little joy, a little happiness. It’s a strange week this one, which has ended in a veritable tragedy, with a devastating forest fire intentionally set, hours after the celebration enjoyed by the whole province because of the success of their football team and its qualification for the finals of the Champions League. From euphoria to despair only took one day, and we find ourselves faced with destruction and death, with some losses which are at this time irreparable, whose recovery the current generation will not see. It’s as if we had been cursed or something like that. Malaga and the Costa del Sol were thrust Friday into the headlines of the major media around the world, and not because of anything good, but because of the disastrous fire which devastated six municipalities of the province, an area known as «the paradise of southern Europe.»

The estate of Julio Iglesias (located precisely between the residential areas of La Mairena and Elviria, at the boundary of Ojen and Marbella) has been one of the most affected by the fire, which destroyed almost 500 acres of woodland and gardens of great value; ‘Las Cuatro Lunas,’ as it is called, is regarded as one of the most beautiful and well-kept Mediterranean estates, and is valued at 150 million euros (188 million dollars.) Today’s most international singer, who left the estate with his family scarcely a week ago after spending nearly three months there, was intently following on Thursday and Friday the development of the disaster from his house in Punta Cana hours before leaving for Miami, where he will temporarily reside before his new tour of America and Asia: «The most important thing above all is the human life the fire has claimed, a tragedy, and the wounded. I personally know a number of them and I am devastated. Next to the human tragedy, the rest is less important,» he commented with evident concern and agitation. Regarding ‘Las Cuatro Lunas’ he acknowledged that «I have lived through some hours of anguish, as almost miraculously the residence and other facilities escaped, but the fire has eaten all the woodland, which I created with my own hands, because I was a happy man and in love with my estate. The area affected by the fire, all of it, is the best and most beautiful natural paradise in Europe, and we have lost it, it is something irreparable. I am also outraged. because I have spent years warning the authorities responsible for the issue of the very serious risk of what has now happened, and no one has ever paid the slightest attention, sometimes even with considered ecological positions… Well look where they have taken us, what has just happened. The myopia of many government officials is truly regrettable, and their demagoguery an attack on reason. It is not right that such a natural beauty as the affected area in the Costa del Sol has been reduced to ashes. Now what?» he asked truly disillusioned, but at the same time highlighting the work of the troops who have fought against the fire. «We have to give heartfelt thanks to those who have risked their lives trying to put out the fire and save men, women and children. Also I keep thinking of the many people of Malaga and the many Spanish people affected by the fire in this terrible summer, and I sympathize with all of them.»

Julio Iglesias spoke by phone with the various Civil Protection and Fire Consortium officials during the night on Thursday. «The houses on the estate, except that of the caretakers, were saved by the grass, which acted as a firewall, but historic cork trees, hundred-year-old olive trees, Spanish firs, and a long list of precious species of trees and plants of incalculable value have been lost. It has been a great tragedy.»

People very close to Iglesias doubt that the singer will return to his house in Ojen. «He built this himself 15 years ago, and he is very affected by what has happened. He planned to stay here the whole month of October to celebrate a new European tour, but now we don’t know what he will do….»

Also remember that the projects which Iglesias presented to the Ministry of Public Works of the government of Andalusia to, among other things, prevent possible forest fires, were rejected. They were projects which, according to the same sources, would also have generated great wealth for the area.

And it is possible that the fire has also taken with it one of the best ambassadors Andalusia, the Costa del Sol and Malaga had in the world…

Julio Iglesias will sing to benefit Haiti with President Michel Martelly
November 17, 2012
Agencia EFE

The Spanish artist Julio Iglesias and the president of Haití, Michel Martelly, will sing together in a benefit concert for the Caribbean country.

The Spaniard was one of the first artists who traveled with him to Haiti after the devastating earthquake in January 2010, which caused 300,000 deaths, many others injured, and left 1.5 million homeless.

A few days after the catastrophe, the singer saw with his own eyes the destruction caused by the earthquake during a visit to Port-au-Prince, where he stressed the need for „continued support” to enable the nation to overcome the „profound catastrophe” which was triggered by the disaster.
„I have never in my life seen a country more destroyed,” said the singer at the time.

The concert will take place in the auditorium of Altos de Chavon in La Romana (Dominican Republic) to benefit the office of the First Lady, Sophia Martelly.

Spanish singer Julio Iglesias (L) and former singer and current President of Haiti, Michel Martelly (R), perform during a charity concert for an institution presided by Haiti’s First Lady at La Romana, Dominican Republic, late 28 December 2012

The president will sing two songs, but he did not disclose the titles. Before devoting himself to politics, Martelly became famous in his country as a singer of „kompa,” a very popular Haitian rhythm which the now president performed under the stage name of „Sweet Miky.”

Artculo
Julio Iglesias gives moving benefit concert for Children in Haiti

December 31, 2012

By: Enrique Medina,
A few days before the New Year was rung in, Julio Iglesias reunited with fans for a great cause at the Altos de Chavon amphitheater in La Romana (Dominican Republic). The singer gave a concert as part of his “Julio Iglesias 1” world tour, rasing funds for the White Rose Foundation (FRED), chaired by Sophia Martelly, the First Lady of Haiti, and which aims to help children in the country.

Julio was welcomed up on stage with a standing ovation and delighted the audience with some of the most emblematic songs of his career. The concert got off to a start with the singles “Amor”, “Nathalie” and “La gota fria”, which are included in his latest album “1”, a compilation of some of his greatest hits. “Good evening Dominican Republic and Haiti!, today is a day without borders for anyone, especially for the kids. I wish it was always like that.”, he told everyone there present, speaking in turns in Spanish, English and French throughout the night.

One of the highlights of the performance came when the Haitian President Michel Martelly got up on stage. “I had never expected to still be singing at 47,” joked Julio. “But life at times surprises us, and that’s why Mr. President I was surprised when you said, ‘Julio I want to sing with you for my kids in Haiti’. That’s why we Dominicans are here, so that your Haitian kids keep on living”, said the singer before handing over the stage to President Martelly.

“Hi everyone, thanks for letting Haiti shine at this concert for the children”, said Martelly, who was known in his country as the singer “Sweet Micky” before taking up the post as President.

Together with Julio he performed two songs. “I’d like to say Hello to the Dominican President Danilo (Medina) and to Chancellor (Carlos) Morales, who are here today, and to all the Dominican people, who my country love alot!”, added a smiling Martelly, before singing a duet „Corazon, corazon” and „To all the girls I’ve loved before”. The two of them got the audience breaking out in applauses that night where solidarity reigned and kept up pace with Julio Iglesias’ unforgettablle songs, which have been the soundtrack to the lives of many generations. The performance lasted almost two hours and was attended by notable personalities such as; Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Barbara Walters, Ana Karina Manco, Miguel Vargas Maldonado, Frank Rainieri, Sophie Martelly and Carlos Morales Troncoso.