Versión en Español

Chelín: A Relic of the Trova Santiaguera

By:
Translation to English by:

“Santiago is a small city, however it has a rich variety of things, nooks, people, that one never completely finishes getting to know it.…”

José Antonio Portuondo

The former Bodeguita de Virgilio, known today as the Casa de la Trova Santiaguera, located in the center of town on Heredia Street, the cultural artery of Santiago de Cuba, is such a charismatic place that those who visit this city shouldn't miss the opportunity to visit it.

La Casa de la Trova Santiaguera is a musical treasure trove that is saturated with the old time compositions of the legendary troubadours such as Matamoros, Pepe Sánchez, Sindo Garay and other lesser-known musicians. Their portraits adorn the walls of this symbolic home, which is the pride of the city where the Bolero and the Son were born.

Among the regular dancers at the La Casa de la Trova, one stands out above the rest, a 75-year-old woman who everyone calls Chelín, even though her real name is Mercedes Strich Jiménez.

“Chelín is very down to earth, loved by everyone here. She adds a lot of flavor to this place because of her great dancing ability. It just goes to show that to be able to dance well, there is no age limit. She is a relic of the Casa de la Trova Santiaguera,” says Otilia Cid, another well-known dancer, who everyone calls “Otti”.

Last year Chelín fractured her hip, but as soon as she was recovered from the operation, still using a cane, she was back at the Casa de la Trova every day because, as she says with enthusiasm, "La Trova is my life."

Her favorite dance partner is Lino Semanát. They are a must-see, people crowd around them to see them dance. They breathe new life into a popular dance form and the people flock to see them do it.

Chelín dances danzones, boleros, sones, guarachas, all of the different musical genres, and you can't imagine the number of photographs that arrive by mail sent by the tourists who have shared a dance with her.

“I've been coming here more than 40 years, every night, but I get here around 6 in the afternoon because this place is like my home and everyone here loves me." she says with a happy smile on her face.

She has 2 children, 4 grandchildren and has been retired for 10 years. She formerly worked at the Dorothy Hair Salon.

During her years at the Casa de la Trova, she has had the opportunity to meet most of the well-known troubadours from Santiago, from Pepe Sánchez to Compay Segundo.

She admires Elíades Ochoa as well as all of those who play their music so that she can enjoy a dance. Chelín is a first class dancer and she will get out on the dance floor with anyone who asks her. She feels like a young woman because once she starts dancing, she doesn't know when to stop; she never gets tired. The applause from the public gives her great personal satisfaction and only serves to increase her enthusiasm for the dance.

“One of my favorite groups to dance to is La Estudiantina Invasora, and I like how María Ochoa sings. Really, I can dance to any group, because all of those who play here at La Casa de la Trova are excellent musicians." says Chelín with true pride.

When Inaudy Paisán breaks the air with his trumpet or when the Hermanas Ferrín sing with their melodic voices to the enthusiastic crowds at la Casa de la Trova, Chelín's feet start to itch and she can't sit still in her chair.

Chelín says that one of the happiest moments of her life was the day in 2001 when she danced with Compay Segundo and being able to once again enjoy a live performance with the unmistakable voice of Ibrahím Ferrer, who she feels, has no equal when he sings the immortal melody by Isolina Carrillo: Dos Gardenias.

Read other SalsaPower editorials HERE.

 

All editorials and letters to the editor on SalsaPower.com are personal opinions of those people who write them and do not necessarily reflect the position of SalsaPower.com, Inc.

This page last updated on:  31-Dec-2007