Colectivo Las Huertas: “The ministers have been absent and their decisions are authoritarian”

“Resign, Minister”, was heard nonstop at the National Theater this Wednesday, 17 May.

Those were the slogans of Desahogo, which turned the National Culture Awards ceremony into an unusual gala, marked by Nayuribe Guadamuz’s outburst with the Minister of Culture and Youth (MCJ) of the Artistic and Cultural Union.

The movement was promoted by the Las Huertas collective, composed of Gretel Méndez, Andrea Gómez, Mariela Richmond and Micaela Canales, who, realizing that the minister was going to make a speech at the beginning of the ceremony, stood up and greeted him. Back.

The manner of his protest, more than astonishment or astonishment, excited the other artists who were watching the award ceremony.

With black-and-white posters, the four women denounced the decisions made by the premier so far, as well as the lack of closeness with the union and a possible ¢4,000 million cut to be implemented by the government on the portfolio’s budget for 2024 .

“A change was expected with his entry, but his policies are invisible, passive and absent. More than that he listens very little and takes authoritarian decisions. He doesn’t listen to the union, the people, or our needs. . Decisions are made and we have no idea of ​​the proposals behind it”, details Gretel Méndez.

It was because of this “carelessness” that the artists decided to take control during the long-awaited ceremony, which rewards artists who highlight Costa Rican culture.

The first sample was given minutes before the start of the activity, when more than a dozen artists went on stage without prior notice to read a manifesto against the leader. Reading the document was Andrea Gómez, while dozens of a variety of artists performed outside the theater.

“It was something that we planned together with other people who were winners and we are very happy to see the mobilization out there which was so big, so many people who wanted to put their bodies and voices. I think It’s nice to see when there’s a disruption that resonates and resonates with other people,” the actress said.

Gomez said: “If we feel that this management is turning their back on us, we’re going to turn their back on it… We really believe that their words are bullshit, they’re pure talk, a plate of drool.” “

The group, which this 2023 adds 10 years since its birth, said they had everything planned as they knew this was their opportunity to face the minister and tell him what they think with just a few words .

Las Huertas remained active throughout the night. In the end, they admit it was a different party, but it was a party in the end.

“I agree that it was a criticism of what is happening in this context. We knew that we had the possibility of facing the Minister of Culture on stage and it was important for us to place the body and the voice, because most of the winners have a Wrote the statement and signed it. And now we continue to fight,” Richmond said.

Las Huertas won the Francisco Amigetti National Visual Arts Award among other categories and was among the first to receive the recognition.

As expected, on hearing his name, the artistes took to the stage, showed their banners, shouted, gestured and once again ignored the minister.

Meanwhile, the saint tried to smile and even clapped, as if relishing the moment.