Barcelona dressed up this Saturday to celebrate an emotional wedding, that of Giulia Sagliocco, daughter of music producer Pino Sagliocco, and actor Chidi Ajufo, in one of the most solemn and emblematic settings of the city: the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. The ceremony faithfully reflected Sagliocco’s universe and music became the guiding thread of a day full of emotion.
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Giulia, also a music promoter, is the successor of Pino Sagliocco, president of Live Nation Barcelona and one of the big names in the entertainment industry. Dressed in Rosa Clará, she walked down the aisle to meet Chidi Ajufo, a British actor of Nigerian origin and former professional basketball player, who has appeared, among other productions, in Gladiator II (2024) and The Gentlemen: The Lords of the Mafia (2019).
The choice of Santa Maria del Mar had a very emotional meaning. Barcelona is the city where Giulia was born and also the city that welcomed her father, who arrived in 1978 and where he has developed much of his professional career. But the basilica holds a particularly intimate memory for Sagliocco: there he promoted, in November 1979, his first concert, starring the Breton singer-songwriter Alan Stivell. Almost half a century later, he returned to the same temple to marry his daughter.
And he did so while soprano Ainhoa Arteta sang Mozart’s Laudate Dominum . “The most beautiful thing I have in my life, my only daughter,” said Pino, who is father to two other boys with Lorena Giavalisco, after accompanying her down the aisle. The ceremony had a soundtrack worthy of the occasion. Estrella Morente contributed one of the most unique moments by performing in flamenco style Nada te turbe , the famous prayer and poem by Saint Teresa of Jesus.
The emotion rose again with Chanel Haynes, the American soul and gospel singer who serves as the lead backing vocalist for The Rolling Stones, and who performed The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face , the song popularized by Roberta Flack. The closing of the ceremony was directly a celebration: Chanel, the basilica choir, and saxophonist Tim Ries joined forces in Oh happy day. The temple then turned into a party, with guests singing and celebrating the newlyweds, who left Santa Maria del Mar under a shower of rose petals.
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Music – with performances by Ainhoa Arteta, Estrella Morente, and Chanel Hayes, among others – became the guiding thread of the celebration
Among the 450 guests were businessmen, artists, musicians, actors, models, producers, and friends from different places: Ana Duato and TV producer Miguel Ángel Bernardeau; Carles Sans and his wife, Maria Antònia Rodríguez; Eugenia Martínez de Irujo and Narcís Rebollo; the director of TV3, Sigfrid Gras; Pere Guardiola, from the Godó Group, and his wife, Gloria Martos; audiovisual producer José Manuel Lorenzo and Olga Andrino; choreographer Blanca Li, model Almudena Fernández, businessman Javier Hidalgo, producer Maite Bulgari…
The party continued at Casa Llotja de Mar, where the gastronomy was in charge of chef Rafa Zafra, with a nod from Albert Adrià, and the wedding cake was signed by Christian Escribà. Music continued to be the protagonist, with more performances such as those by Hombres G and a Neapolitan orchestra.
But the party still held more surprises. The religious wedding was followed by a second celebration inspired by Nigerian traditions, the country of origin of Chidi’s family. The newlyweds changed their Western outfits for African attire and the party took on a different rhythm. Among the traditions, one of the most anticipated is the joyful gesture of throwing bills over the newlyweds while they dance; a festive custom symbolizing love, happiness, and good fortune.
The final stop was at Carpe Diem. There, far from the solemnity of Santa Maria del Mar and with the night fully devoted to the party, Giulia and Chidi put the finishing touch on a wedding that, like the music that has marked Pino Sagliocco’s life, knew no borders or genres.
