Puerto Rican artist Shabum achieved a new milestone in his career by becoming the only magician selected by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to participate in the official programming of the Legacy Stage during the 250th anniversary celebration of the United States, held at the National Mall in Washington D.C. The NEA gathered dozens of artists from different states and territories to showcase the country's cultural richness.
Shabum, whose real name is Emanuel Soltero, was the only illusionist invited to perform, recognizing his artistic trajectory and quality. During his presentations on July 3 and 4, Shabum connected with the audience through a show that combined magic, humor, interaction, and positive messages.
The National Endowment for the Arts shared images of his performance, which showed children participating in magic acts, families enjoying the show, and attendees taking photos with the artist. Shabum stated that representing Puerto Rico on the NEA's stage is one of the greatest honors of his career and that his mission is to demonstrate that magic can educate, inspire, and unite families regardless of language or location.