One always has an obligation to be indebted to life. Then there are those to whom one owes the intangible, and more than half a century defending the heritage of all. The National Prize falls into that category. Flamencolodge, Manuel Martin Martin, chosen as Favorite Son of the City of Écija, who has also received the city's gold shield, an insignia he receives for the third time, since it was previously awarded to him in the governments of the Andalusian Party (PA) and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).
Dean of criticism and "forger of a new literary style in journalism," as the poet defined him. big felixThe appointment as Favorite Son – celebrated in the Mosaic Room of the Benamejí Palace – was approved “unanimously by those present in the plenary hall,” as assured by the councilor for culture of the Écija city council, Laura Hurtado, thanks to the initiative presented by the Royal Academy of Sciences, Fine Arts and Letters 'Luis Vélez de Guevara'.
Political, academic, religious, and local authorities from Écija kept their appointment with the "expert on the foundations and structure of the flamenco", in the words of Fernando Martín Sanjuán, vice-president of said Academy.
Jose Merce"You are the best of the best." Sara Baras"Thank you for everything you teach us." Rafael Riqueni: “I congratulate you on all your years of work and I appreciate the way you have treated my work and my music.” Vicente Friend: “I would make you a Favorite Son, but of Andalusia.” Dorants“It is only right that people like you, who have done so much for the flamenco"It should be underlined." Or Miguel Poveda“Thank you for always offering your archive to artists; for your dedication and for your consistently committed criticism, always striving to do it in the best way possible.” They all sent their congratulations, through recordings, during the official ceremony.
A cast that speaks volumes about the career of a leading figure who, in his critical work, never compromised his principles. An honesty inherent to this genre that... flamenco He has returned to the people of Écija with respect, to a career spanning more than fifty years.
Dean of criticism and forger of a new literary style in journalism, as the poet Félix Grande defined him, the appointment as Favorite Son –celebrated in the Mosaic Room of the Benamejí Palace– was approved unanimously by those present in the plenary hall»
Martín Martín expressed his gratitude to the Royal Academy and the city of Écija, “which gave me its truth, its birthplace. This is a victory for the culture I represent.” He also acknowledged his humble roots, his parents: “I am a product of my origins.” And he thanked his profession, journalism, which has led him to deliver more than a thousand lectures. and to sign around three thousand articles published in newspapers and specialized magazines: “I have earned the right to say what I feel.”
Honorary Member of almost fifty peñaflamenco dancers and godfather of the Peña Flamenca Teresa León de Écija, a female figure, will continue to receive honors with the inauguration, this same year, of the Interpretation Center of Flamenco 'Manuel Martín Martín', which will be complemented by the publication of a book in his honor. The center, which will house the documentation donated by the flamenco expert, will contain more than 400.000 chronologically organized files, 16.000 recordings, and more than a thousand audio recordings. A priceless treasure that the prestigious journalist has donated to the city of Écija and to the history of flamenco. flamenco“You are giving us back the hours stolen from your family. Today we are doing justice,” the mayor stated. Silvia Heredia Martín, at the end of the event.
Manuel Martín Martín has been the cultural director of the Antonio Mairena Foundation and his resume includes being the author of the report that was submitted to the Governing Council of the Junta de Andalucía for the awarding of the V Golden Key of Cante to the flamenco singer Phosphorite, as well as author of the Regulations of the Golden Key of Flamenco Guitar.
The archives continue to await his reviews and chronicles while the flamenco It continues to feed on the legacy of his effort and a holistic knowledge of this art that will remain for consultation and learning of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The Hall of Mosaics became too small to accommodate the figure of whom the writer Manuel Barrios He described himself as "the most expert of our time." "My commitment to opinion journalism is a rebellion against reason, and the primacy of truth," he asserted. This is what is called criticism.
Congratulations, teacher.
