Be flamenco It is not about acting, but rather a way of “being in life.” That spirit of flamenco, that spark that is released almost automatically, went up on the stage of the Auditorium of the House of the Piñón of La Unión in the figure of one of the most outstanding and promising guitarists of today: Yerai Cortes.
For the guitarist from Alicante, “La Unión is a temple, a place to listen, see and feel the atmosphere flamenco and where so many geniuses have passed through due to its greatness and history." Since his godfather brought him at the age of 15 Norman contreras, a dream was repeated in his mind: to be close to the Festival. At the festival of flamenco most important in the world dreams come true and Yerai has managed to become part of its history by receiving the highest institutional distinction of the Cante of the Mines, the Golden Tower.
"I'm going to take it as awards should be taken, as a boost to keep me motivated to continue doing what I've been passionate about for years, and to ensure it doesn't stop there, but rather continues to help me improve and be able to pursue even more projects," said the winner, who couldn't hide his excitement and happiness at the moment. He dedicated the award to his sponsor: "He's given me creativity and professionalism, and he's taught me many things, both personally and professionally," he added.
“Today begins a new stage of affection and love between Yerai and the Cante of the Mines," said the president of the Fundación Cante of the Mines, Joaquin Zapata, which sought to highlight the artistic and human qualities of the award-winner and the combination of his classical touch with his elegance and daring staging of his shows.
Yerai thus joins a recognition that had as its first recipients Paco de Lucía y Manolo Sanlucar, and which he would later also receive Vicente Friend, making his touch remain engraved forever, along with the greats, in the Cante of the Mines.
«La Unión is a temple, a place to listen, see and feel the atmosphere flamenco and where so many geniuses have passed through due to its greatness and history" (Yerai Cortés)
From touching the palmas in the Cathedral of the flamenco to receive recognition
“I never thought I would get to where I am or that I would like a record with contemporary overtones,” Cortés indicated when reviewing his life, captured in the documentary C.Tangana The flamenco guitar of Yerai Cortés, which also gives the album its title. He acknowledges his role in making people who had never heard of it flamenco, have become fans after discovering him, and he hopes that this Castillete de Oro will help to continue spreading this art.
In addition to remembering the three and a half years of filming what he defines as "a personal journey for the whole family", and sharing his fears and doubts during that time, he returned to the first time he climbed the Cathedral of Cante to accompany playing the palmas“It was very nice to be near a monument like the Festival, because I wanted to be close to it in any way I could to learn, and that day I learned a lot,” he recalled. He quoted Farruquito As one of the artists who has studied the most, and whenever he couldn't make it to a concert, he would say he couldn't because "he had to play with Farruquito." Years later, that dream would also come true.
He's done this entire review of his life accompanied by his godfather, who this time is accompanying an artist he championed by bringing him to La Unión. Yerai knows that "you can never expect what a project or an album can bring." And that boy, who initially had no intention of playing the guitar, has managed to consolidate a personal and professional project that has only just begun.
