JUANES HONORED AS “LEGENDARY ARTIST” AT PREMIO NUESTRA TIERRA 2026

There are artists who record songs, and there are artists who write history. The 2026 Premio Nuestra Tierra ceremony took a moment to honor JUANES who, with a guitar on his shoulder and his heart in his throat, made the entire world speak Spanish through music.

At Teatro Colsubsidio, during a night celebrating the very best of Colombian music, JUANES was honored with the “Legend Artist” award, a recognition that embraces nearly three decades of a career that has itself become an anthem to freedom and music.

This tribute arrives at a moment of complete artistic fulfillment. While the country celebrates his legacy, JUANES continues looking toward the future. He has recently been announced as the inaugural artist for DaviArena, the new entertainment venue in his beloved Medellín, on November 14. The performance will precede his Bogotá concert on November 20th, as well as a new tour across Europe and the United States, carrying with him a sound that knows no borders. It is the present reality of an artist who, despite performing at the world’s most prestigious festivals and iconic stages, still preserves the humility of the young man who first dreamed on the streets of Medellín.

This award recognizes a path built over many years, a journey that began in Medellín, where a guitar first started telling the story of who we are. It was that music, blending rock with Colombian roots, that carried our stories and language around the world, transforming the local into something universal. Song after song, stage after stage, award after award, a legend crossed borders and returned home to honor what defines us: carrying our flag around the world. JUANES became the artist who made our hearts beat louder and who opened the dream for many others.

That shared dream came to life on stage as his legacy transformed into the present moment. Artists including Manuel Lizarazo, Annasofía, Maca y Jero, Bako from The Mills, TIMØ, and Llane united to perform a medley honoring songs that no longer belong only to JUANES, but to the world, including “A Dios le Pido,” “Hagamos Qué,” “Fotografía,” “Me Enamora,” and “Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor.” The stage became a testament to how his music has evolved into global anthems resonating across the world’s most iconic stages.

The award, presented by his friend Fonseca, honors not only his 29 GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® awards, but also his extraordinary ability to remain deeply connected to his essence while becoming a global artist. Through every chord and every lyric, JUANES reminds us that music is the shortest bridge between cultures.

The artist received the applause of a nation that sees itself reflected in his success. This tribute is not only an award for a legend; it is a recognition of the truth behind an artist who, after conquering it all, still believes the magic is only beginning.

“Thank you to my brothers and my parents for being the first people who believed in me, for introducing me to music at such a young age, and for filling our living room with guitars. For making me fall in love with traditional duets, Jaime Villamil, Octavio Mesa, Los Visconti, Diomedes, Kraken, Los Chalchaleros, Binomio de Oro, Joe Arroyo, Totó la Momposina, and so much more. And for taking me to my first guitar lessons with my teacher Gabriel Cañas. Thank you to RCN, Villalobos, Blanquita, UNIVERSAL MUSIC, Rafa Restrepo, WME, Paula Jaramillo, and my entire team. I also thank my school, Instituto Jorge Robledo, because it was my first stage. Every flag ceremony, my teacher would call me, ‘Juan Esteban Aristizábal, come sing.’ I would stand there trembling, but I knew I loved what I was doing. That was my first step toward facing an audience. From there, to stages around the world. “I have succeeded and failed many times throughout this journey, but let me tell you something: my love for music is so immense that I have always known how to get back up and keep going. I make music out of conviction and self-love; otherwise, I could never have made it this far, and there is still so much ahead.

“I went from school stages to stages around the world and realized that I owe everything to this place, to my beloved Colombia, to the music made here, and to the people from every corner of this country who have embraced me and continue to support me. Today, I also want to thank all the new artists for their inspiration and for the incredible quality of the music they are creating. They are teachers to me, just as the legends have been.

“I’m grateful because today I’m living my best moment both as a person and as a musician. I enjoy the stage and what I do. I continue dreaming about writing my best song — tomorrow too. I want to invite everyone to continue discovering the beauty of music through learning a musical instrument and through critical thinking, so that AI never replaces our originality to the point of making it disappear. Our point of view should always come first, and the tools second. THANK YOU.” said JUANES upon receiving his award.