Our first parallel text…which only really works on a PC! Translation of Beatriz Cebreros Baeza’s text by Mike Zollo.
Seems to us that we would do well to copy this initiative to build the bonds of friendship across the nations. Let us know if you live somewhere this already happens!
In the 14 years we have been coming here, we’ve got to know our adoptive Spanish village very well. Of course we’ve been keen to integrate in any way we can, for example in my case helping the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) with translations into English, reading at church services and so on. My wife’s ongoing medical condition has attracted a lot of support from the locals, which she has found very reassuring, helping her to take a very positive attitude to life: indeed, her consultant is convinced of the positive benefit to her of the time we spend here. We have many Spanish friends of all generations, and friends among the British residents and those of other nationalities. So it was that several years ago I was privileged to be among the foreign nationals who formed a committee, hosted and supported by the Ayuntamiento to promote friendship and cooperation. Though my wife and I haven’t been involved much since, as we aren’t always in Spain at the relevant time, the result is what follows: a model of how best to celebrate the multicultural nature of the village.
Over to Beatriz Cebreros Baeza, one of the administrative staff of the Ayuntamiento who, based in the Museo Morisco, coordinates the Día del Residente (Resident’s Day)and other cultural events in the village.
“The initiative was started a few years ago and came from Sayalonga residents of different nationalities. This is an important fact, since from the Ayuntamiento’s point of view it is especially important to support the initiative and ideas which different groups and associations wish to fulfil in the municipality. Experience tells us that when ideas arise from citizens, they become more involved in the projects, they are better coordinated and the results are better.
Currently in Sayalonga half of the population on official records is of a nationality other than Spanish. This is very significant, since they are people born in different countries and who for various reasons (immigration, retirement, work, holiday homes etc) have come to live in Sayalonga. At the moment there are residents of 40 foreign nationalities, mainly European (Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Denmark etc), and there also is a considerable number of residents of Moroccan nationality.
The ‘Resident’s Day’, celebrated each year in August, highlights the multiculturalism of the municipality. People of different nationalities set up stalls representing their countries, with typical features such as food (traditional recipes, sweets, snacks and drinks), flags, maps, posters and decorations in their national colours. There is also typical music or children’s games, which the residents teach the youngest children. It is a very special opportunity to exchange what each can offer, learn about other cultures, and share with the other inhabitants, whatever their age or origins. The most important thing is to have a good time – together and united.
The Ayuntamiento contributes to the ‘Resident’s Day’ by providing various services. Firstly, the organization and publicity of the event. We also design the Spanish stall and buy typical Spanish food such as Serrano ham, Manchego cheese and paella. In addition, many Spanish residents prepare their signature dishes for tasting on the Spanish stand. To add to the atmosphere the Ayuntamiento engages a group playing international music to encourage participants to sing and dance. It also provides other necessary items such as tables, chairs, table cloths, plates, glasses, cutlery, photocopying etc.
It’s also appropriate to emphasise the fact that the United Kingdom stall has featured in every one of the fiestas, and is known for being one of the largest, best decorated with a larger abundance of typical food and a great number of volunteers. Various British residents take responsibility for leading the organization of their stall, which is a success every year for its level of participation.
This fiesta has become yet another tradition for our village, and is a benchmark of our summer programme which would not be possible without all the volunteers who dedicate their time and effort, besides contributing a large proportion of the products and activities that we all enjoy on that day.”
| “La iniciativa fue hace unos años y partió de residentes de diferentes nacionalidades de Sayalonga. Este dato es fundamental, ya que desde el ayuntamiento es especialmente importante que se apoye la iniciativa e ideas que diferentes colectivos y asociaciones quieren llevar a cabo en el municipio. La experiencia nos dice que cuando las ideas salen de los ciudadanos, estos se implican más en los proyectos, se coordinan mejor y se obtienen mejores resultados. Actualmente el Sayalonga la mitad de la población censada es de una nacionalidad distinta a la española. Esto es muy significativo ya que son personas nacidas en diferentes países y que por distintos motivos (inmigración, jubilación, trabajo, casa de vacaciones, etc.) han venido a vivir a Sayalonga. En estos momentos hay residentes de 40 nacionalidades extranjeras, principalmente europeos (Alemania, Reino Unido, Países Bajos, Bélgica, Suiza, Francia, Dinamarca, etc.) y también destacan el número de residentes de nacionalidad marroquí. En el Día del Residente, que se celebra cada año en agosto, se pone en valor la multiculturalidad del municipio. Personas de distintas nacionalidades crean stands representando a su país, con detalles típicos como comida (recetas tradicionales, dulces, snacks, bebidas), banderas, mapas, pósters y decoración con los colores nacionales de cada país. También hay música típica o juegos para niños que los residentes enseñan a los más pequeños. Es una ocasión muy especial para intercambiar lo que cada uno puede ofrecer, aprender sobre otras culturas y compartir con los vecinos, sin importar la edad o la procedencia. Lo más importante es pasárselo bien todos juntos y unidos. El Ayuntamiento de Sayalonga colabora con el Día del Residente aportando distintos servicios. El primer lugar, la organización y publicidad del evento. También diseñamos el stand de España y compramos comida típica española como jamón serrano, queso manchego y paella. Además, muchos vecinos españoles elaboran sus platos estrella para darlos a degustar en el stand de España. El Ayuntamiento contrata animación con un grupo de música internacional para que los participantes puedan cantar y bailar. Y proporciona otros artículos necesarios como mesas, sillas, manteles, platos, vasos, cubiertos, fotocopias, etc. Asimismo cabe destacar la participación del stand de Reino Unido por haber colaborado en todas las ediciones de la fiesta y ser unos de los stands más grandes, mejor decorados con más abundancia de comida típica y gran número de voluntarios. Varios vecinos británicos se encargan de liderar la organización de su stand que es un éxito de participación año tras año. Esta fiesta se ha convertido en una tradición más para nuestra localidad y es un referente en la programación del verano que no sería posible sin todos los voluntarios que dedican su tiempo y esfuerzo, además de aportar gran parte de los productos y actividades que disfrutamos todos ese día.” |
