The Brazilian classical guitarist, conductor and teacher received the highest title of the Universidad Nacional de Rosario.

In an act held in the Auditorium of the Parque de España Cultural Center, the academic secretary of the UNR Romina Pérez and the dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts Alejandro Vila awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Maestro Fabio Zanón. The Professor of the Guitar Department of the School of Music, Eduardo Isaac, read the laudatio to the honoree.

An unavoidable reference of the classical guitar in Brazil, Zanón studied at the University of Sao Paulo and later obtained his master's degree at the Royal Academy of Music where he is currently a Visiting Professor. Since 2013 he has been the artistic-pedagogical coordinator of the Campos do Jordão International Winter Festival.

He has participated in performances in around 50 countries and has more than 40 concertos for guitar and orchestra. He made duets with great references in Brazilian music and was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2011. He also trained as an orchestra conductor and presented some 200 programs for Cultura de Sao Paulo radio, with a national reach.

“It is the main title that the University awards to those who have many merits, but this ritual not only speaks of the person who receives the diploma but also of what we aspire to as an institution”, affirmed Alejandro Vila in his role as godfather.

“It is essential to think about the place of art, music and culture in a world as difficult as the one we are living in, with so many inequalities, violence, ecocide, poverty”, he reflected, adding that it is important not only because it allows us to think about a different world but also working together, communicating in a different way and building another language, “a horizon of peace that is what we need at this time, a world where love is stronger than hate. The humanities and the arts are fundamental in this horizon”.

Meanwhile, the academic secretary of the Romina Pérez University expressed that "there are plenty of reasons for such well-deserved recognition, for his outstanding career and international prestige, his contribution to world culture as a director, educator and promoter of classical music that have allowed situate the classical guitar in a much broader perspective”.

The official maintained that with this title the University is ranked and thanked the Professor "for transmitting the culture and the principles and values ​​that we defend and uphold." "Our University has to be a driving force, a promoter of changes through culture, as in this case, science, knowledge production and social commitment."  

Finally, he was sworn in and the title of Doctor Honoris Causa was given to Fabio Zanón who gave the conference "The Latin American musician and the figure of the public intellectual."

Journalist: Victoria Arrabal/Photographer: Karen Roeschlin