La Guelaguetza is coming. However, the drama/comedy/telenovela/fairly tale (you take your pick) that is the Guelaguetza Auditorium velaria (canopy) has again grabbed Oaxaca’s headlines. “Why?” you might ask. Good question! Perhaps a little history is in order…
Once upon a time and for a very long time, the auditorium, perched on Cerro del Fortín high above the beautiful city of Oaxaca, was velaria-less — no canopy to protect spectators and performers from sun and rain. However, in 2009 the Big Bad Wolf, who was then the governor and in need of some good PR, decided to spend 104 million pesos to build a roof over the auditorium. The people did not like the governor, they did not like the expense, and they most certainly did not like the design — the word, el pañal (the diaper) frequently tripped off the tongue of many when describing it. Alas, the workmanship left much to be desired and the 2010 Guelaguetza had to be relocated to the university soccer stadium. The people were not happy!
By July 2011, a Prince Charming had replaced the Big Bad Wolf as governor, a new velaria was in place (though it still looked like a diaper), and La Guelaguetza returned to the hill overlooking the city. Cue mild applause.
Alas, the lackluster clapping came to an abrupt halt one evening in March 2012, when a moderate wind ripped the right wing (I kid you not) off. A sign?
A poll at the time ran 2:1 against replacing the velaria. Of course, no one listens to the people, though a week later, for the safety of all, the left wing of the cover was also removed.
Guelaguetzas 2012, 2013, and 2014 came and went and not much more came to pass. Yours truly even experienced the abbreviated velaria at last year’s performance, though I kept glancing up at the structure to make sure it was still intact.
The end of our story? No, of course not! In January, Sinfra (Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Land Management) declared the saga must go on. Thus, in March of this year, it was trumpeted throughout the land that work on a brand new velaria was to commence. There would be no cost to the people, as the original company, the Big Bad Wolf’s friends at Lonas Lorenzo, would be footing the bill, and work would be completed in time for this year’s Guelaguetza. Though the people did not cheer, down came the old…
Completed in time for this year’s Guelaguetza, did I write? Well, into every tale a little drama must fall — today’s Noticias heralded the news that, alas and alack, due to a labor dispute, the work will not be finished in time for next month’s Guelaguetza performances. The people are not surprised. The world turns and the saga continues…
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