Page - 18 - in Hanadi & Christian - English

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 18 I explain that I am not from around here, and when he asks me about the meaning of my name, I answer.“Well, now I like it even more! Not that I don’t like José you know,” he says looking at José. “It’s just that I am more used to that name; it’s a traditional name. Besides the actress, I have never known any other Hanadi. And the ac- tress is too far away to ask her about her name. And what do you think of the name Braulio? Or Sir Braulio?” he jokes and winks at Maite. The mayor starts laughing loudly when he sees we are blushing because we don’t know how to answer his question. Then, he says, “All right, let´s get to the point! What brings you here?” José explains that we have come about the invitation to take part in the village festival, and together we give him some details about what we are planning on doing. “Fantastic!” the mayor says. “The people in the village will be very grateful. We don’t often get the chance to attend cultural activities. It is our custom to have a band playing until late, but besides that, there’s little else, really.” “We’d like to know if it would be possible to do the play in the patio here at the town hall,” Maite asks. The Mayor’s face changes as he listens to Maite, and suddenly he becomes more serious. “This thing you are asking me…it’s im- possible,” says the mayor “You can’t do it in the patio. I’m sorry.” “And why is that?” José asks. “We aren’t going to break anything. We would be really careful and we hardly need any props. I can’t see the problem.” “That’s not the issue,” says the mayor, “The thing is that we only use that patio for specific events in the village. We use it for important occasions like when we celebrate our Patron Saints Day. It’s our tradition. I’m really sorry, but we can’t change that.” “I don’t understand,” I say. “Why can’t we use the patio for other ac- tivities? Do you mean that traditions can’t be changed? If not, how are you going to have more cultural activities?” “Look, it’s not me who decides. I understand what you are saying, but the people here wouldn’t accept changing this tradition. You could do your show in the main square, which is also a good place, don’t you agree?” José is on a roll. “Well, I believe traditions are made to be changed if they are not supported by good reasoning.” I have never seen José