BETWEEN CODES, GUITARS AND PIANOS

Hace pocos meses tuve la oportunidad de conocer al jurista Dr. German Henríquez Chadid, gracias a una invitación que me hizo la distinguida dama María Paula Muñoz, de origen antioqueño, criada desde niña en la ciudad de Cartagena de Indias. Mi vecina en tiempos de juventud. Ella, es docente y es muy buena cantante que se acompaña con su guitarra española.

A few months ago I had the opportunity to meet the jurist Dr. German Henríquez Chadid, thanks to an invitation made to me by the distinguished lady María Paula Muñoz, of Antioquia origin, raised since she was a child in the city of Cartagena de Indias. My neighbor in times of youth. She is a teacher and is a very good singer who accompanies herself with her Spanish guitar.

Sabido es que soy un admirador de la sana música, estimó que debía conocer a su amigo Dr. German, gran músico, que ofrece a través de la CANTATA de la cual es su director, o coordinador, como la mejor terapia para el espíritu y la sana recreación, como también para hacer amigos.
Por ello, mi relación con el homenajeado de hoy, a quien dedicare unas pocas líneas, para darle paso a sus virtudes y dones musicales, por eso, solo hare una síntesis porque de su trayectoria es larga.

Knowing that I am an admirer of healthy music, he thought that I should meet his friend Dr. German, a great musician, who offers through the CANTATA of which he is its director, or coordinator, as the best therapy for the spirit and healthy recreation, as well as making friends.
Therefore, my relationship with today’s honoree, to whom I will dedicate a few lines, to give way to his virtues and musical gifts, therefore, I will only make a summary because his career is long.

German es un abogado especializado en derecho de familia, casado con una arquitecta muy distinguida: doña ALBA Luz Anaya, madre de dos hijos maravillosos Juan Camilo y María Claudia Henríquez.

German is a lawyer specialized in family law, married to a very distinguished architect: Mrs. ALBA Luz Anaya, mother of two wonderful children Juan Camilo and María Claudia Henríquez.

German es un litigante en acción y pura dedicacion, no obstante, su estricta disciplina, le ha permitido organizarse de tal manera, que ejerce el litigio diariamente. Pero… de manera obligatoria, le dedica dos horas de su tiempo en descanso, para tocar la guitarra y el piano, y… media o más, para caminar y hacer ejercicios físicos.

German is a litigator in action and pure dedication, however, his strict discipline has allowed him to organize himself in such a way that he exercises litigation daily. But… he obligatorily dedicates two hours of his time to rest, to play the guitar and the piano, and… half or more, to walk and do physical exercises.

Es un compositor de fina letra, romántica, y como contraste, también se zambulle en los temas folclóricos, componiendo bellas melodías de Porro, cumbia y vallenatos, que los concibe, con tanta facilidad, como dar una opinión sobre la normativa que rige para el derecho de familia.

He is a composer of fine, romantic lyrics, and as a contrast, he also dives into folkloric themes, composing beautiful melodies of Porro, cumbia and vallenatos, which he conceives, with such ease, as giving an opinion on the regulations that govern the family law.

Hace años incursiono en programas de la televisión colombiana, costa caribe. Asesoro en la organización de conciertos. Y sus canciones llegaron a la audiencia en los Estados Unidos.

Years ago I ventured into Colombian television programs, Caribbean Coast. Consultant in the organization of concerts. And his songs reached audiences in the United States.

Se mueve como pez en agua, con un profundo gusto, tanto en el derecho, como en la música.
Pero lo más curioso, es que German es tan estricto y disciplinado en todo lo que hace, que pareciera un militar en acción y control de un batallón, actitud, que se desvanece, cuando se viste de bolero, de porro, balada o vallenato. Claro, observando la compostura, en que esconde su rigidez, para volverse muy sociable.

He moves like a fish in water, with deep taste, both in law and in music.
But the most curious thing is that German is so strict and disciplined in everything he does, that he seems like a soldier in action and controlling a battalion, an attitude that fades when he dresses up as a bolero, a joint, a ballad or a vallenato. Of course, observing the composure, in which he hides his rigidity, to become very sociable

Sus composiciones han trascendido las fronteras patrias con muy buena aceptación, sin embargo, debido a la modestia y sencillez de German, sus trabajos musicales, las ha elevado a la categoría de alimento para el espíritu, que supera los niveles materiales, que por lo regular, es el común denominador, porque también es un medio sobrevivir.

His compositions have transcended the national borders with very good acceptance, however, due to German’s modesty and simplicity, his musical works have been elevated to the category of food for the spirit, which surpasses the material levels, which usually , is the common denominator, because it is also a means to survive.

Esto, en términos costeños, le llamamos: POR AMOR AL ARTE. Ese es el combustible del Dr. Henríquez, y parece que es el de la misma Cantata, porque allí he conocido a muchas damas amables y cariñosas, entre ellas, a María Eugenia Laboree, cuyo espíritu de alegría, tiene el don de la dulzura y la de alegrar la tristeza. A su casa la he bautizado como la embajada de la amistad.

This, in coastal terms, we call: FOR THE LOVE OF ART. That is the fuel of Dr. Henríquez, and it seems that it is that of the Cantata itself, because there I have met many kind and loving ladies, among them, María Eugenia Laboree, whose spirit of joy, has the gift of sweetness and that of cheering up sadness. I have baptized his house as the embassy of friendship.

German tiene un corazón tan noble, que tiene una manera de pensar muy particular, que para mí es genial, aun cuando sea controvertida, y pueda ser disonante. Pues, por lo que he podido deducir e interpretar de las conversaciones con él, prefiere tener más conocidos, que amigos, porque a los conocidos, les puede cobrar justos honorarios profesionales, mientras que, a los amigos, a quienes les profesa tanto amor, y que podrían llegar al millón, se muere de hambre, porque le queda difícil cobrarles.

German has such a noble heart, he has a very particular way of thinking, which for me is great, even when it is controversial, and can be dissonant. Well, from what I have been able to deduce and interpret from conversations with him, he prefers to have more acquaintances than friends, because from acquaintances he can charge fair professional fees, while from friends, to whom he professes so much love, and that could reach a million, he is dying of hunger, because it is difficult for him to collect from them.

La paradoja, la establece la música, que no induce a ninguna incoherencia con relación al ejercicio profesional del derecho. Ahí es muy dadivoso. Esta interpretación es mía, y a lo mejor es un poco atrevida, pero, si la analizamos tranquilamente, es sabiduría y practicidad. Y, lo digo por experiencia propia, pues en mi camino recorrido, no he hecho otra cosa que aprender de todos, para armar mi propio concepto de los valores humanos, por ello, mi caso, es más complejo, por aquello siempre me he dicho: servir, no cuesta nada, y en ocasiones sirvo, y no me queda nada en el plato para mí y lo hago por amor a Dios y al necesitado. Pero, son diferentes situaciones. Ambas son nobles y sinceras.

The paradox is established by music, which does not induce any incoherence in relation to the professional practice of law. He is very generous there. This interpretation is mine, and perhaps it is a little daring, but, if we analyze it calmly, it is wisdom and practicality. And, I say this from my own experience, because in my path, I have done nothing other than learn from everyone, to build my own concept of human values, for this reason, my case is more complex, for that reason I have always told myself : serving, it costs nothing, and sometimes I serve, and there is nothing left on the plate for me and I do it for the love of God and the needy. But, they are different situations. Both are noble and sincere.

Estamos ante un invitado, pese que luce como introvertido, se abre, cuando de música se trata. Es un bohemio, sin licor. Es un ser humano excelente, sin vicios, consagrado a su familia, y como amigo también es leal.

We are faced with a guest, although he seems introverted, he opens up when it comes to music. He is a bohemian, without liquor. He is an excellent human being, without vices, dedicated to his family, and as a friend he is also loyal.

He aquí algunas de sus canciones, para que la disfruten, gracias a la página Cultural de La Agencia Mundial de Prensa: Musical Planet, que dispuso hace largos años de una tribuna muy línda, con vista al mundo de la cultura.

Here are some of their songs, for you to enjoy, thanks to the Cultural page of The World Press Agency: Musical Planet, which had a very nice tribune many years ago, overlooking the world of culture.