The beloved Venezuelan Christmas carol "Mi Burrito Sabanero" took center stage once more as musician Ricardo Cuenci was awarded the Glorias Artísticas de Venezuela by the Minister of Culture, Ernesto Villegas. This occurs amid the rich tradition of celebrating holiday music and festivities surrounding the Novena Navideña every December.
Originally composed by Hugo Blanco and famously recorded by Cuenci at the tender age of eight, "Mi Burrito Sabanero" tells the charming story of traveling to Bethlehem. With its catchy melody and joyful lyrics, it has become one of the most sung Christmas songs during festive gatherings across the Latin American world.
At the award ceremony, Minister Villegas emphasized the deep connection the song holds with the Venezuelan people, asserting, "No hay venezolano o venezolana que no se haya estremecido en su infancia con la belleza de este tema de Hugo Blanco. Se nos metió en el corazón, en nuestro cerebro y en todo nuestro cuerpo, en lo que somos." This reverberates the sentiment of how integral the song is to the national identity.
Cuenci's story began when he was selected by Blanco as the soloist for the children’s choir, La Rondallita, which he joined early on. Aguasanta Márquez, the current director of the choir, shared how Blanco originally recorded the song with adult voices but later thought children's voices would suit it best. She noted, "El profesor Cabrera lo que hizo fue el montaje coral, el arreglo musical para un montaje coral infantil." This behind-the-scenes view of the song's production speaks volumes about the artistic choices made to convey its Christmas spirit.
The song itself captivates listeners with lines like, "Con mi burrito sabanero voy camino de Belén, si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén." Although it began its successful life over four decades ago, it has transformed and adapted through different artists, maintaining its relevance and charm.
Despite the success of the song, Cuenci's involvement came with challenges. Throughout the years and as the song rose to international prominence, he discovered one disheartening reality: none of the child singers from La Rondallita received any royalties or payments for their contributions. Cuenci candidly expressed this sting, stating, "Uno como niño nunca supo nada de eso, ni de dinero, ni de cobros... Nunca se nos pagó ni un bolívar partido por la mitad, ni a mí ni a mis compañeros de La Rondillita." This has been a significant source of disillusionment for him.
"Mi Burrito Sabanero" continues to be celebrated not just for its melody, but also for its powerful message and cultural significance. It's commonly featured at holiday events, and families around the world sing it as part of their Christmas traditions. The tune, which now feels universal, still holds true to its Venezuelan roots.
Though Cuenci stepped back from the music scene due to these disappointments, the recognition he has received recently serves as both vindication and celebration. His impact on Venezuelan culture is undeniable, bridging the gap between history and tradition with contemporary appreciation.
Today, as memories of joyous celebrations fill the air, the celebration of "Mi Burrito Sabanero" remains alive and well, ensuring its place within the hearts of Venezuelans and the broader Spanish-speaking community during the festive season.
