MY CONVENTION

ERICK NETTEL "TETTEL"

TUDI Representative in Canada September 8th, 2023 was a day filled with excitement for me. Not only because I was travelling to attend the 2nd Convention of Tunos Decanos de Iberoamérica representing the Canadian delegation, but also because this was my first time visiting Portugal and Spain, and it would be my first time performing as a Tuno in Europe. Yes, it is said to say it, but back in the days when I was young and beautiful…, o.k., when I was young then, my tuna was never able to travel outside of our home country of Mexico. Different economic situations throughout the years did not allow us to fulfill that dream that every Tuno in America has at some point in their lives. So, finally arriving with my mandolin at Porto International Airport almost made me cry. Then I realized that this was the first of many emotional moments I would go through and that I better relax, breath and enjoy each one.

I was so absolutely lucky to be picked up at the airport by our other amazing Canadian delegate, Tuno Miguel Dias, who after visiting family in the South of Portugal was driving north to Guimarães to join everyone at the convention. Our trip was an unstoppable very enjoyable chat that made time go by fast. Our Canadian Delegation in TUDI is a small one, made of just three Tunos, at least for now. And although only two of us could make it, travelling together to our final destination felt like the full force of the maple flag was coming to set foot with a strong presence. And this was confirmed the moment we got to the hotel and the Tunos from other delegations greeted us with open arms and right away wanted to know about each one of us, about our Tunas of origin, about the instrument we played, and of course…, about our weather.

From that moment on, the rest of the trip was about taking advantage of the limited time we had together to get to know each other beyond what we knew through our TUDI Whatsapp chats. Breakfasts, rehearsals, official and unofficial visits, lunches, performances, dinners and bohemian nights quickly transformed into a time of sharing and enjoying within a brotherhood. If the first day, as it is natural, there was some observance and restraint in terms of letting one be oneself, by the second day one could started feeling that the person next to us was not a stranger, but someone we had somehow met and known in spirit. And now it was the moment for those spirits to confirm that something bigger than them was bringing them all together.

Our performances in Guimarães became stronger as days passed by. One can say that, that is the result of practicing together and having a thorough and patient musical director like Mambo guiding us, but the positive energy and connection that kept on building among Tunos, was another motivator to give the best of us in each performance. The unsurmountable effort by Paulo Gonçalves and the Portuguese Delegation to imprint the spirit of tunería in Guimarães, was the cherry on top to fully feel every song we were performing.

By the time we travelled to Santiago de Compostela, our convention group was a different one. One that had developed jokes, anecdotes, a trillion selfies with one another at every possible location, lots of laughter, and memorable music from every corner of the world that resonated beyond the stage every night.

Our visit to La Casa de la Troya was a reminder that Tunas are still alive, and if there is ever a doubt about considering “La Tuna” as world heritage, then one just needs to look at all the becas hanging in the museum to dissipate such doubt.

The performances of Tuna Compostelana in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and of Fonseca in the Palacio de Fonseca could not had been more significant in many ways. For me, it was a moment of humbleness and of thankfulness for being alive in that moment, being able to play and sing surrounded by so many amazing musicians. It was also a way of preparing everyone for the end of 10 unique and incredible days. Our last concert ended with those mixed feelings of sadness and happiness. Sadness for knowing we would all be going back home soon, but happiness for having shared once more with the world the enjoyment that comes from singing each and every Tuna song.

September 18th, 2023 meant for me the return to our home, but with a renewed love for what TUDI is and represents.