Cervantino still has a long way to go: Aymerich

Mariana Aymerich, who will still direct the 52nd edition of the Cervantino International Festival, indicated that she feels proud of her management because she managed to make the meeting inclusive and diversesince it covers everything from traditional music to diyéis and contemporary rhythms. We seek to know the country from its roots, but also for Guanajuato to feel like owner of the FIC; They are (its inhabitants) who allow us to arrive and be the hosts of the most important festival in Latin America.

In interview with The Daythe still general director of cultural promotion and festivals of the federal Ministry of Culture admitted that in these six years her work plan was not 100 percent fulfilled and there is still much to do. I did not arrive trying to discover the black thread, but with global problems such as the pandemic and conflicts on an international scale, Cervantino had to adapt to each of the situations that arose..

He added that the cultural and artistic meeting still has a lot to present to the public. because the amount of supply that exists on a national and international scale is infinite. I wish we had more days to present more acts, but even then we would not know all the offer of what happens in performing and visual arts; I think the festival still has a long way to go.

Pleasant responsibility

The 52nd edition of the FIC, with Brazil and Oaxaca as guests, will take place from October 11 to 27 in different venues in Guanajuato and, like every year, some shows will be presented in other states, on the Cervantino Circuit.

The program includes 117 groups, 70 national and 47 international, which will allow you to enjoy 116 shows and 133 performances with artists and companies from 24 countries, including Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, the Deborah Colker Dance Company, the band Hazmat Modine, the Brazilian Lenine, the group Fábrica de Eventos, ToutitoTeatro and the Canadian company Snafu.

Regarding the challenges involved in directing the festival, Mariana recalled that at the age of 18 she worked as a host for artistic groups at the Cervantino, when Sergio Vela was director, so she knows this meeting very well and from the beginning its axes have been diversity. , inclusion and that the FIC is for the entire public.

It has been a very pleasant responsibility to direct the festival and it has a lot of meaning for the artists who perform. I am doing it with all my heart and I am fortunate to have a team that is equally dedicated. We really do it for a national project that is the Cervantino, so they were complex and challenging years, but very enriching.

Given the criticism regarding the programming and quality of shows that have been presented in this six-year term, Aymerich expressed: “Programming a festival like the Cervantino obviously has a lot to do with what we do with the federal resource, but also with everything What we do about alliances and strategies with sponsors. The FIC is worked on many months in advance due to issues of availability of artists, especially from Europe and the United States, which have an established calendar.

They have also complained to me every year why there is not more theater or dance: because the festival times are very short and the setups and disassemblies do not last one night or one day. A play involves at least two days of rehearsal and five days of assembly, and that is very complex in a festival. Now he is already building the sets for the companies that come.

The director added that due to the time problem, the musical offer has been prioritized, because it is easier to work with a group.

For all tastes

Regarding the quality of the shows presented, he indicated that The festival has something for all tastes and has tried to show the public in these six years artists who had not been to Mexico or the Cervantino, because the artistic offer there is, not only on a national or international scale, is infinite..

He emphasized that a festival allows people see things you don’t normally see in your city, in your state, wherever you live, and that’s what we’ve tried. How they complain to me because the Bolshoi is not coming: well, because flying from Russia is somewhat difficult, but companies from Korea, China and the United States have presented themselves. Why not give us the opportunity to see these new proposals? Among the groups that Aymerich would have liked to bring to the Cervantino during his management are the Cullberg Ballet from Sweden, a Philharmonic from New York or Berlin, and the Béjart Ballet Lausanne.

in the inkwell

In these six years I was left wanting to do a closer collaboration with Elisa Carrillo. We’ve talked a lot, but their dates don’t coincide with the festival. I think there is still a lot to do, there is a huge window for artists. Furthermore, there are so many emerging artists who are making their way, and of course they are all likely to appear at the FIC, but we don’t have so many spaces or so much time. Yes, there are many artists that I left out.

Regarding the guests of this edition of the festival, he commented: We are going to start with the Guelaguetza, and Brazil will present theater for children. Traditional music and a company of different abilities are coming; We will also have the presence of Rosana Lamosa, one of the most important Brazilian sopranos.

The issue of security in Guanajuato has been very important for Aymerich, who indicated that they have had the support of the Secretariat of Citizen Security, the National Guard, the Secretariat of National Defense and all state and municipal forces. He concluded that the Cervantino will be a very organic festival for the whole family and for all tastes; I hope the public and the people of Guanajuato enjoy it a lot.