History of the Ecuadorian anthem.

The national anthem is a symbol of a nation's identity, a musical expression that evokes the pride, history and values of its people. In the case of Ecuador, its national anthem is a piece of great patriotic and cultural significance, whose origin and evolution reflect the rich history and diversity of this South American nation. In this article, we will explore in detail how the national anthem of Ecuador came to be, from its humble beginnings to its establishment as a revered national emblem.

Historical background: The first anthems of Ecuador.

Before the adoption of the current national anthem, Ecuador had a series of musical compositions that were used as patriotic anthems. During the colonial era and the first years of independence, various patriotic songs were sung that reflected revolutionary fervor and the desire for freedom.

One of the first compositions to be considered a national anthem was "Canción al 9 de Octubre", written by José Joaquín de Olmedo to commemorate the independence of Guayaquil in 1820. This song, although not officially recognized as a national anthem, was an important symbol of the fight for independence and national unity.

The national anthem contest: A step towards official creation.

The push to establish an official national anthem for Ecuador materialized in the mid-19th century. In 1865, President Gabriel García Moreno called a national contest to create the national anthem. The contest sought to find a composition that captured the spirit and values of the Ecuadorian nation.

The contest jury received several proposals for hymns from Ecuadorian and foreign composers. However, none of the submitted compositions completely met the criteria established by the jury. Given this situation, the contest was declared void, and it was decided to look for alternatives for the creation of the national anthem.

The national anthem commission: Creation and adoption.

After the failure of the national contest, a special commission was formed to address the issue of the national anthem. This commission was made up of prominent intellectuals, musicians and politicians of the time, who dedicated themselves to finding a solution to the national anthem dilemma.

After an arduous process of deliberation and debate, the commission finally selected a musical composition as the national anthem. The music was composed by the Italian musician Antonio Neumane, while the lyrics were written by the Ecuadorian poet Juan León Mera. The combination of Neumane's music and Mera's lyrics resulted in an emotional and patriotic piece of music that captured the spirit of the Ecuadorian nation.

The national anthem of Ecuador: A celebration of national identity.

The national anthem of Ecuador was officially adopted on September 29, 1948, during the government of President Carlos Julio Arosemena Monroy. Since then, it has been revered as a sacred symbol of national identity and has been used in a variety of contexts, from official ceremonies to sporting events and civic celebrations.

The lyrics of the national anthem of Ecuador exalt the beauty of the country, the bravery of its inhabitants and the desire for freedom and justice. Each stanza of the anthem is imbued with a deep sense of patriotism and love for the country, and has been sung with pride by generations of Ecuadorians around the world.

The national anthem of Ecuador: Lyrics.

CHORUS

Hail oh Homeland, a thousand times!
Oh Homeland! Glory to you! Glory to you!
Your chest is already, your chest is overflowing.
Joy and peace, your chest is already overflowing;
and your forehead, your radiant forehead,
More than the sun we contemplate shining.
And your forehead, your radiant forehead,
More than the sun we contemplate shining.

STANZAS

Yo

Your children are outraged by the yoke
that the Iberian audacity imposed on you,
of the unjust and horrendous misfortune
that weighed fatally on you,
holy voice raised to the heavens,
voice of noble and peerless oath,
to take revenge on the bloody monster,
to break that servile yoke.

II

The first children of the soil
that, superb; Pichincha decorates
they hailed you forever madam
and they shed their blood for you.
God looked and accepted the holocaust,
and that blood was a fertile germ
of other heroes who, astonished, the world
He saw thousands emerge around you.

III

From these heroes to the iron arm
nothing had the earth invincible,
and from the valley to the highest mountain range
the roar of the fight could be heard;
after the fight the victory flew,
freedom after the triumph came,
and the destroyed lion could be heard
of impotence and spite roar.

IV

At last the Spanish fierceness gave way,
and today, oh homeland, your free existence
It is the noble and magnificent inheritance
that he gave us, happy heroism;
from the paternal hands we had it,
no one tries to take it from us now,
nor our wrath excite avenger
want, foolish or bold, against himself.

V

No one, oh Homeland, try it. The shadows
of your glorious heroes look at us,
and the courage and pride they inspire
They are omens of triumphs for you.
Come the iron and the fulminating lead,
that to the idea of war, and revenge
the heroic strength awakens
that made the fierce Spaniard succumb.

SAW

And if new chains prepare
the injustice of barbaric luck,
great Pichincha! do you foresee death
of the country and its children at last;
Sink immediately into your deep bowels
How much exists in your land: the tyrant
trace only ashes and in vain
look for trace of being with you.

The national anthem of Ecuador today.

The national anthem of Ecuador remains an integral part of the country's civic and cultural life. It is sung at official events, military ceremonies, civic celebrations and sports competitions, where it unites Ecuadorians in a feeling of national pride and solidarity.

Today, the national anthem of Ecuador continues to be a symbol of national identity and a reminder of the values and principles that unite its people. As the country moves into the future, the national anthem will continue to be an inspiration for generations to come, reminding them of the legacy of courage, freedom and patriotism that has defined Ecuador throughout its history.

The national anthem of Ecuador is much more than a simple piece of music; It is a sacred symbol of the identity and history of the Ecuadorian nation. Its origin and evolution reflect the rich cultural diversity and the fight for freedom and justice that have characterized Ecuador throughout the centuries. Through its emotional lyrics and inspiring music, Ecuador's national anthem continues to be a beacon of hope and unity for its people, reminding them of the pride and greatness of their homeland.