It is well born to be grateful

We transcribe, with pleasure, the letter sent by Natalia Nieto Díaz, X Meiga Mayor Infantil, to the Association of Meigas. But before we want to make a brief point:

Natalia Nieto, a choreographer and dancer, was born and trained initially in our city until one day, looking for better horizons for her artistic vocation, she left for Madrid without ever losing sight of her relationship with La Coruña. In Madrid he founded the Young Attitude Ballet with which he reaped remarkable successes. For years this Ballet attended the Dance Nights Cycle of the Theater, Music and Dance Days to present its classic and contemporary ballet show. Both Natalia and the rest of the Company never received a euro, nor did they request it, to join the program of the HOGUERAS ; Moreover, every year that they participated, their trips to La Coruña and back to Madrid were self-financing, paying them from their pockets, since their only desire was to be able to contribute to boost the San Juan Coruñés. This year, due to the total lack of collaboration of these of the tide, for which these artistic manifestations, are not part of the culture and by the amount of inconveniences and restrictions imposed on the Association of Meigas, among them the possible need for change Of schedule to not disturb a neighbor of the Plaza de María Pita, it is possible that the Ballet can not attend your appointment with the CORUÑEZ HOGUERAS . We already know who we have to thank.

Having said that, we reproduce the text:

"My parents were two wonderful people: workers, honest and with a great sense of ethics and justice. From them I learned that" it is well born to be grateful ", so, trying to follow his example and reach a ribbon that left I am sorry that my pen does not live up to that of my father (twice winner of the Pérez Lugín Prize), but I hope that my message will reach equally high. Who can interest

I am not going to make a critique of the municipal program for the Festa de San Xoán '16: first, because I do not know it in depth, secondly because I believe that criticism should always be made a posteriori, Destroy rather than build; I also firmly believe that everything done to enrich, exalt and celebrate something as ours as the San Xoán should be welcomed: adding up we are always better.

But I am obliged to answer, by-direct-allusions, to some statements that have come down to me.

As X Meiga Mayor Infantil, I find myself included in this bouquet of "vase women" who have been representing and celebrating the feast of San Xoán for more than forty years. I studied three races, and nowadays I run my company, a dance school, working hard and very hard to get ahead in a profession not easy; I started with 26 years old, with no more help than my family and friends – hardworking and unconditional – because, let's not fool ourselves, entrepreneurs are the "ortegas amancios", the others are mere suffering hidden under the epigraph of the always maltreated autonomous. I have a great sense of labor justice and social conscience, partly by inheritance, partly perhaps because I have been a cook before friar (always combining work and studies to get what I proposed) and I try to do things well – logically I do not always get it – and contribute my bit to leave this world (inheritance of our parents and loan of future generations) a little better than I found it – difficult task, do not you think? If this is a vase woman, I plead guilty.

Among my work, I co-direct the Young Ballet Attitude, a dance company that serves as a platform for young dancers who, once finished or about to finish their training, seek to insert themselves in the difficult work panorama of dance. Since 2009, our company has collaborated with the Meigas Association (following the legacy of the now defunct Promoter Commission) by participating in the Dance Days. Our proposal for this year was – it continues to be – a musical show of Disney along with the company Artes Escénicas Alcalá, who have wonderful voices: a family show, already represented in some rooms of Madrid (always with absolute full), where the Music and dance are the protagonists. I must remember, in case anyone has doubts, that DANCE is CULTURE; So is MUSIC. I regret and it hurts that the Concello considers that my work is not culture.

The Meigas Association (formerly the Promotional Commission) has always given us the opportunity to show our work; Understands how important it is to bring culture closer to the people, always being the free spectacle; We also did not charge for the realization of the same, as any of the participating groups, because it is precisely that, a collaboration. So, regardless of who I weigh, I feel dissent: the Association ALWAYS has organized cultural events, not just the Dance Days, but many others; Have always been vigilant to keep our traditions alive, but without ceasing to accommodate the new airs that inevitably breathe in our society.

For all this, I can only thank you; A THANK YOU for raising our party to the height of International Tourist Interest, for betting on culture, for making a party for people. I do not defend at all the exclusive patrimony of the San Xoán by any entity, as I know that the Association does not do so, but, gentlemen, as the title of my letter says, it is well born to be grateful, and I firmly believe that whoever forgets his Past is doomed to repeat its mistakes in the future, as well as to lose much of what much effort it has taken to achieve: to deny the work of the Promoter Commission (currently relieved by the Association of Meigas) or pay it with contempt is a mediocrity that Without doubt our city does not deserve. Let's stop destroying, and let's start building together.

Happy San Xoán to all !!!

Natalia Nieto Díaz (X Meiga Mayor Infantil) ".

Many thanks Natalia.