A packed Jovellanos Theatre in Gijón tonight paid homage to Leonard Cohen's music and poetry in an emotional tribute concert featuring a host of national and international stars.
Two days before the Canadian singer, songwriter, poet and novelist is officially awarded the 2011 Prince of Asturias prize for writing, the theatre in Gijón gave Cohen a warm reception and a standing ovation that lasted for several minutes, which Cohen acknowledged by raising his hat to the crowd.
The tribute began with "Backstage Sketch", a short video by Lorca Cohen, the Canadian artist's daughter, and included a documentary "Songs from the road", in which all the members of Cohen's band related their experiences of life on the road with the great man.
Professor Andrés Amorós, a member of the Prince of Asturias prize jury, recited a number of Cohen's poems and songs, translated into Spanish, accompanied by guitars and the voices of the "Webb Sisters".
Amorós said: "His poetry has taken us to the most absolute sadness, melancholy, and to tenderness. The curious thing is, that when he talks about himself, he talks about all of us, it's just that we don't know how to express it like he does".
Laura García Lorca, niece of the poeta Federico García Lorca, also paid homage to Cohen, calling him "the best ambassador" her uncle could have in the world. She expressed her "gratitude and emotion" to Cohen for having brought her uncle's poetry to so many people.
Thanking the public with repeated gestures of gratitude, Cohen was visibly moved by the end of the event.
