Antonio Vodanovic to appear at inaugural night in Viña

VIÑA DEL MAR. -  What could be more symbolic to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the Viña del Mar International Song Festival than having Antonio Vodanovic, the former long-standing host of the event, participate in the inauguration tonight?

The event organizers are very keen on having the man who coined the phrase “because Viña has a Festival” onstage and all indications are that this will be the case.

Despite the fact that Vodanovic himself denied that he would participate in any kind of homage, it turns out that he has indeed arrived to the “Garden City” from Iquique today and plans on attending the general rehearsal at the Quinta Vergara Theater.

It is not known whether Vodanovic will participate in the opening or in a particular tribute, since the information (difficult to do in Viña, where everyone seems to know everything) continues under wraps.

Nevertheless, the executive director of Canal 13, Mercedes Ducci, has given away some hints.  Yesterday, during a cocktail party at the Palacio Riojo in celebration of the inauguration of the festival, she stated that “all opening nights are very special, as they represent the past, what television’s role has been, as well as special moments”.