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Colombia pays tribute to author Gabriel Garcia Marquez Colombia pays tribute to author Gabriel Garcia Marquez
(about 4 hours later)
Colombia is paying tribute to its most celebrated author, Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who died on Thursday aged 87. Colombia has paid tribute to its most celebrated author, Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who died on Thursday aged 87.
President Juan Manuel Santos will lead a ceremony in Bogota's cathedral which is expected to be attended by the author's sisters. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos led a ceremony in Bogota's cathedral, which was also attended by the author's sisters.
On Monday, a formal commemoration in honour of Garcia Marquez was held in Mexico City, where the author lived.On Monday, a formal commemoration in honour of Garcia Marquez was held in Mexico City, where the author lived.
He was cremated in a private family ceremony last week. He was cremated in Mexico in a private family ceremony last week.
'What Colombia is'
Family members have not yet revealed what they intend to do with his ashes.Family members have not yet revealed what they intend to do with his ashes.
There have been suggestions that they may be divided between his birth country and Mexico, his home for several decades.There have been suggestions that they may be divided between his birth country and Mexico, his home for several decades.
Organisers said although the event would be held in Bogota's cathedral on Bolivar Square, it would not be of a religious nature. Ahead of the event in Bogota's cathedral, organisers said it would not be of a religious nature, but it began with prayers led by Ruben Salazar Gomez, the Archbishop of Bogota.
The National Symphonic Orchestra will play Mozart's Requiem and there will be performances by singers from the Saint Cecilia Choral Society. Committed to peace
The ceremony will be broadcast live on state television and radio. Colombia's National Symphonic Orchestra and the Saint Cecilia Choral Society then played Mozart's Requiem.
Afterwards, President Santos addressed the audience and called Gabo, as Garcia Marquez was affectionately known, a "giant man".
"Gabo was committed to the fate of his country and Latin America. (...) He was especially concerned about achieving peace (in Colombia)," the president said.
The Colombian government and the largest rebel group, the Farc, have been in negotiations since November 2012 to end a 50-year civil conflict which has killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced more than five million others.
The ceremony was broadcast live on state television and radio, as well as on giant screens outside the cathedral.
On Wednesday - to coincide with World Book Day - Colombians will further remember Garcia Marquez by organising readings of his novella No One Writes to the Colonel at more than 1,000 libraries, parks, universities and schools.On Wednesday - to coincide with World Book Day - Colombians will further remember Garcia Marquez by organising readings of his novella No One Writes to the Colonel at more than 1,000 libraries, parks, universities and schools.
Twelve thousand copies of the novella have already been handed out for the reading.Twelve thousand copies of the novella have already been handed out for the reading.
President Juan Manuel Santos also attended the event at Mexico City's Palace of Fine Arts on Monday.President Juan Manuel Santos also attended the event at Mexico City's Palace of Fine Arts on Monday.
He told the BBC's Will Grant: "The world knows about Colombia through Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He represented what Colombia is in many ways. His magic realism is - and he said it - is not an invention. It's a description of what Colombia is." He told the BBC: "The world knows about Colombia through Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He represented what Colombia is in many ways. His magic realism is - and he said it - is not an invention. It's a description of what Colombia is."
Thousands of fans filed past the urn containing his ashes. Joseline Lopez, a Venezuelan medical student, said she had come because she wanted "to thank him for the pleasure he gave me in reading books".Thousands of fans filed past the urn containing his ashes. Joseline Lopez, a Venezuelan medical student, said she had come because she wanted "to thank him for the pleasure he gave me in reading books".
Referring to his best-known novel she said: "One Hundred Years of Solitude will survive 100 more years in our hearts."Referring to his best-known novel she said: "One Hundred Years of Solitude will survive 100 more years in our hearts."
Nelly Hernandez, a teacher, said that the author was "a watershed in my life". "He taught me to relish life through literature."Nelly Hernandez, a teacher, said that the author was "a watershed in my life". "He taught me to relish life through literature."
The cause of his death has not been disclosed, but he had been treated for pneumonia shortly before he died.The cause of his death has not been disclosed, but he had been treated for pneumonia shortly before he died.