United by Music
As part of a series of cultural activities highlighting Latin American talent in Europe, the Permanent Mission of Venezuela in The Hague distinguished itself by presenting the renowned maestro Cheo Hurtado, in what became an unforgettable evening for diplomats, artists, and lovers of traditional Venezuelan music.
Held on Thursday, October 9, at the Venezuelan diplomatic headquarters, the event transformed the Mission into a space of cultural dialogue through music. With his inseparable cuatro, the traditional Venezuelan string instrument, Hurtado captivated the audience, demonstrating that culture is a source of pride and a powerful tool of diplomacy.
Recognized as one of the most emblematic performers of the cuatro, Cheo Hurtado offered a recital lasting over an hour before Ambassador Héctor Constant-Rosales, Venezuela’s Permanent Representative to international organizations, and an audience of distinguished guests, including fellow ambassadors and friends of Venezuela.
Among the attendees were the ambassadors of Kazakhstan, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Colombia, Belarus, Uruguay, Bolivia, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, who joined in celebrating Venezuela’s rich cultural heritage. Hurtado’s repertoire covered the most representative genres of Venezuelan folklore — from joropo to calypso, as well as waltzes and aguinaldos — each piece performed with mastery and deep emotion. The concert reached its peak with Pajarito, one of the most iconic pieces in the llanero repertoire, performed with the expressive intensity that characterizes Hurtado’s art.
A living legend of Venezuelan music, Cheo Hurtado’s artistic career spans more than five decades. He has devoted his life to performance, research, teaching, and the dissemination of Venezuela’s traditional rhythms. His work has been instrumental in promoting the cuatro internationally and preserving indigenous genres such as joropo, guasa, waltz, calypso, and aguinaldo — earning him recognition as one of the great cultural ambassadors of Venezuela.
Following the concert, Ambassador Constant-Rosales hosted a warm reception where guests enjoyed typical Venezuelan delicacies, including arepas.
