Monday 30 April 2007

Leon´s literary circuit, and more

Last week I hit Leon´s champagne and canape circuit - unfortunately without the champagne and canapes - with my guide Dennis.

On Monday to commemorate the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare the university invited a poet from the capital, Managua, to give a talk and read some of her poems. Dennis [who is also a poet] gave a short introduction to proceedings which received many laughs and was followed by three other introductions (15 mins each). Finally the poet took to the podium and talked for about an hour and a quarter. Unfortunately the volume on the mic was low and the air conditioners - a rare treat in this city - on full blast. Consequently of the 2 hours+ I barely understood a word. Still everyone else enjoyed it.

The following day was the 40th anniversary of Leon Viejo restoration fund. Leon Viejo was formerly Nicaragua´s capital in about the 1600´s is one of the oldest Spanish colonial cities in the Americas.

Many local historians and writers were there as the panel of 4 speakers each said their piece. Three people spoke for about 20 minutes each and then the main guest, a well respected 90-year-old lifted his head from his cane and talked animatedly about about Nicaraguan history in general. After 50 mins he received a prod from a fellow panel member to either wrap it up or get to the point. Well, he did neither and 30 minutes later he received another prod which seemed to do the trick. So, after that did we go for drinks and discussion in the pristine gardens? Alas not, the first speaker came on and had another go for 10 mins.

Unfortunately I didn´t understand much of this talk either. I think it´s mainly the accent and the speed which I´m told eventually I´ll tune into and it´ll all make sense.

From these events though and a few others as I´ve sat there desperately trying to comprehend I´ve come to the conclusion that Latin men just love to talk. Even if half the audience are nodding of and in one instance a woman even made (not took) a phone call without even bothering to leave the room.

I´ve also been seriously impressed by the respect for Leon´s culture and the passion in which it´s talked. There are a bunch of dedicated people here working hard so people won´t forget. And from what I hear it´s an uphill struggle. The government doesn´t have much interest in the nation´s art and culture such organisations do not receive subsidy. What´s also surprising is that in a nation that prides itself on it´s writers and poets no one seems to read in Nicaragua. In Leon, the third biggest city, there are no bookshops, just one place selling secondhand works of Lenin. Yesterday in the paper there was an editorial entitled ´Why don´t we read more?´

I don´t what the answer is but if the champagne and canape circuit is to continue they need to start attracting young people. A 5 minute limit on opening speeches might be a good start.

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