Gabriel García Márquez’s Ashes Arrive at Bellas Artes Palace For Funeral Service

Gabriel García Márquez' widow, Mercedes Barcha, and his sons, Rodrigo and Gonzalo, along with the President of Conaculta, Rafael Tovar y de Teresa, have placed the ashes of the famed Colombian author inside the Bellas Artes Palace, Mexico City's cultural center. The ashes of the Nobel Laureate arrived at Bellas Artes from his house, located in the neighborhood Jardines del Pedregal, for the start of the funeral service attended by statesmen and culturalists alike.

Enrique Peña Nieto and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos will both be attending the service in Bellas Artes. Hundres of people lined the streets in the surrounding area awaiting the arrival of Gabriel García Márquez' ashes. Neighbors and adoring fans, many carrying yellow flowers. also lined the streets sourrounding the famed author's house as the van carrying his ashes drove out of his home en route to the service. The van was accompanied by police cars.

Gabriel García Márquez passed away last week. The Colombian journalist, novelist, short story writer and screenwriter suffered from cancer that resulted in a lung and urinary tract infection that got him hospitalized on March 31. He was released on April 8 from the National Medical Sciences and Nutrition Institute in Mexico City, however, the Nobel Laureate passed away on Thursday April 17. He is being mourned today in a special funeral service.