In these days there have been many characters who have taken advantage of the date of the 15th anniversary of César Manrique's departure, to a better place, those who approached his last resting place to falsely take the obligatory photo and ...
In these days there have been many characters who have taken advantage of the date of the 15th anniversary of César Manrique's departure, to a better place, those who approached his last resting place to falsely take the obligatory photo and try to look good in front of the gallery.
Hypocrisy was displayed and made an appearance last September 25 at the Municipal Cemetery of Haría, some of those who little or nothing loved this artist "gathered" in the same enclosure to put on the annual theatrical work of the usual four, although we have to recognize that this event is also attended by people with real feelings who have always respected the figure of César.
But we are among those who think that the feeling towards a person is carried in the heart, which is why we do not consider it necessary to make it public.
I met César Manrique while I was with Pepe Dámaso in the Almacén when I was very young, I was barely 18 years old at that time, I was President of a youth association called "Meca", for which Cesar designed the logo.
There were many moments that I spent talking with him at the Picaso bar about various topics, we discussed the ways of proceeding and acting of the youth group and he gave us his point of view, even so, he always respected us.
I remember that he constantly teased me about my long hair and asked me to cut it, which I never did until many years later. I held two personal photographic exhibitions at the Almacén thanks to the invaluable help of César.
To point out that throughout my 51 years of life I have had the pleasure of personally meeting many values of this island with whom I have shared conversation, I have known their works, their way of thinking and doing things, such as among others D.Guillermo Tophan, D.Rafael Stingas, D.Braulio de Leon, D.Agustin de la Hoz, D.Candido Aguilar, D.Jesus Soto, D.Cesar Manrique, etc....I learned something from all of them, but Cesar left a mark on me because of his rebelliousness, his constant and overwhelming energy, his capacity for struggle, for the freedom of his language with his powerful voice, for the love of his land, for his humility and simplicity and total openness to all social levels.
But the moment came when we moved away from the place and from César when he began to approach certain "characters" that were not to our liking, because we knew that the newcomers were "climbers", the passage of time showed us that these were really some opportunists who took advantage of the figure and popularity of this great artist.
I could talk about many things about César Manrique; but I have learned to be respectful of the history of others and I have always kept the good and bad things in the trunk of memories.
César was matter perfectly integrated into his natural habitat, Lanzarote was and is part of his life, which is why he needed to transform it, attach it and protect it until it became a wonderful paradise, to be admired by locals and strangers.
César and Lanzarote were one and the same. From these lines my most humble memory to the figure: of whom for me, was a great person, who gave everything for his land "even his own life".
Antonio Leal Aguilar
President of Titeroygakat
