With the arrival of Carnival in Lanzarote and the departure of the murgas, comparsas, floats, batucadas also take center stage in the festivities. Marcial Avero, spokesperson for the group, reviews in an interview for Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero, the various moments they have experienced and their growth as one of the pioneering batucadas on the island.
25 years of experience support the batucada, being the oldest in Lanzarote, which began in 1998. The protagonist of the talk joined the animation group in 2002. "It was in the fourth year after it was founded," he recalls. He looks back and is still surprised by the place he has reached together with his colleagues."We didn't think we were going to have international promotion", he confesses.
For years they have traveled to different countries such as Italy, at the 'Festival of Flowers' in San Remo, which they have had the opportunity to reach with their music and their show. A projection that continues to amaze them. "It's hard for us to think about how lucky we are compared to other groups to be able to travel," reveals the member.
They remain humble despite the success achieved and highlight the need to continue advancing in their professional career. "The important thing is not to start, but to maintain", Avero acknowledges. In addition, they reaffirm the legacy they have left to other groups on the island. "Thanks to us, many batucadas have been born in Lanzarote," he says. They report having a good relationship with the other groups on the island, even helping each other. "We must break with the stigma of competition between us, we have helped 'Sur Caliente', the murgas, etc. on occasions," added the participant.
"We must break with the stigma of competition between us"
He admits that his family and friends are excited about his performances, even more than they are. "They have internalized the phrase: "if you can't beat them, join them", he acknowledges. From the oldest to the youngest want to be part of the batucada. "Our relatives go out to the arena and are encouraged to participate, especially the children, who love it," he adds very proudly.
Their first stop will be the Arrecife Carnival, in which they will be present on Saturday at the 'Day Carnival' of the city. "We have already performed at the Pregón, and now we have the rest," he pointed out. To make their show possible at the festival, they have been practicing for months. "We are rehearsing in the street," he says.
Their beginnings were not very extravagant
They began to prepare the batucada from simple points. In their beginnings, the costumes had a basic style and did not give so much importance to the details. "The first costume was a shirt, with white pants and polka dots," Avero recalled. "We didn't complicate ourselves with the costume," he says.
They had a before and after evolving in the personal style of the batucada. They began to give more importance to the small details. "We gave touches to the helmet, but without neglecting comfort," he discovers. During their performances, people were more interested in the musical part. "The important thing is what we play,"
Before they took part in the making, today, they go to professionals to help them with the costumes. "We no longer sew, only some decorations on time, but not work of hours and hours," adds Avero. Currently, "we are pulling more seamstresses," he reveals.
The important thing to be a musician in the batucada is "to have ear and rhythm", it is not necessary to have many previous musical studies. "In the beginning, some members have a connection with music, but others do not," he says. He gives a clear and colorful example: his own. "I spent two months playing the guitar and the timple, the only connection I had with music," he says. His strong point is having "sense of rhythm", he highlights to the microphones.
A batucada that encourages to join it and enjoy the festival with the many components that every year brighten the Carnivals of Lanzarote with their rhythm and music.
