Mexican Marimba Ensemble to Entertain Pope Francis in Mexico Visit
Massive preparations have already gone underway as Mexico prepares for the eagerly-anticipated visit of Pope Francis this coming February. With the nation already feeling the Pope Fever, people from each of the areas the pontiff would be visiting are preparing something special for the beloved pope.
Chiapas, one of Mexico's states and one of the stops on the pope's tour of the country, is preparing a little entertainment. The Diaz sisters, veteran players of the region's favorite musical instrument, the marimba, are set to provide the well-loved religious leader with some rhythmic entertainment, according to FOX News.
The marimba is one of Mexico's most iconic instruments. Highly resembling its metal cousin, the xylophone, the wood-planked marimba has usually been associated with lighthearted music and Mexico's trademark upbeat tunes.
If there is anyone in the country who is capable of drawing out multiple emotions from the instrument, however, it would be the four Diaz sisters. The sisters have been playing the instrument for decades, after being invited by region's bishop, the late Samuel Ruiz.
What sets the Diaz's music apart from conventional marimba music is their ability to play the instrument in such a way that it invokes multiple moods from the percussive device. Apart from this, the Diaz sisters' ensemble has grown through the years, with the band now including other siblings as well as other relatives, reported ABC News.
With a guest as important as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the Diaz marimba ensemble has stated that the privilege of playing for the pope was a huge honor.
"It is an honor for us to be up front. It is a gift from God," one of the sisters, Marta Diaz, said.
Meanwhile, even the local community in El Paso, Texas, is feeling the excitement. After declaring that the pope's visit to neighboring town Ciudad Juárez on February 17 is an "unparalleled high-profile event," the city council has decided to initiate a number of contingencies to prepare for the expected droves of people who would like to get a glimpse of the well-loved pontiff, according to EL Daily Post.
Among these contingencies include the closing down of at least two school districts in the area. A major border highway is also set to be closed on the day of the event. El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser believes that despite the pope not setting foot in the American city, the pope's visit to the neighboring town is extremely pertinent for El Paso nonetheless.
"This is such a positive thing for our community. I'll tell everyone, El Paso is Juárez and Juárez is El Paso," he said.
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