Spanish singer Joan Manuel Serrat opens Chile's Vina del Mar song contest.
Serrat opened the festival amid a sparkling fireworks display.
The festival, which is 50 years old, plays out over six nights in the Chilean seaside resort.
Critics say the festival has failed to attract many international stars but organizers say they were unable to justify spending thousands on non-Chilean performers in the middle of a global economic crisis.
However, international artists such as Marc Anthony, Juanes, Carlos Santana,
Simply Red, and KC and the Sunshine
Band are all scheduled to perform.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH SINGER JOAN MANUEL SERRAT, SAYING:
"It has been a beautiful night, the people have been very communicative with us. We have tried to do everything as well as we can."
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEMBER OF CAMILA, MARIO ALBERTO DOMINGUEZ ZARZAR,
SAYING:
"This is a opportunity for all of Latin America to see us, it is
pretty important. For people to see us outside of our country playing music
and singing, and in country that isn't our own, singing our songs. I think
that it has a real international importance."
