Dancing jotas in Mar del Plata: Interview with María Florencia Mastromarino Berges.

We always say that every guest who passes through Hotel Sauce undoubtedly has a story to tell. One of the most rewarding experiences of this work is when you discover one of those stories and its protagonist tells it to us. A few weeks ago a nice Argentinian couple visited us, and talking with them we discovered that it was not their first visit to the city. In fact, when she told us that she had been invited by the Government of Argón because, there in Mar del Plata, she danced jotas, we knew that we had to share this story with you.

A story of how the roots and strength of our folklore survive more than three generations. We are pleased to introduce you to María Florencia Mastromarino Berges and her partner Cristian David.

It’s always nice to come back, Saragossa is my city in the world.

The first question seems obligatory, how does a girl from Mar del Plata dance jotas?

Florencia: My mother and my grandfather danced jotas in the Aragonese Union of Mar del Plata, so we can say that it is a family tradition. Since I was a baby I watched my mother dance. The institution has a lot of history, this October 13 it turns 71 years old, and in fact my great-grandfather Agustín was one of the founders. My mother’s family has Aragonese roots, during this trip we visited my family in the town of Longás, in the Cinco Villas region.

And what impression does the jota make among your fellow Argentinians?

F: The jota is not very popular in Argentina. Everyone associates Spanish dance with flamenco, but when they visit us in Unión Aragonese it makes a very good impression. It is a very happy dance, very moving and very popular. In addition, Mar del Plata is a very touristy town in summer and many Argentines from other cities visit us often. What catches their attention the most are the castanets and they ask how they are played, where they come from…

Cristian David: When she told me that she danced jotas, I didn’t really know what she was referring to. I remember she showed me a video and she gave me joy.

Is it easy to get all the material to dance jotas from there?

F: The espadrilles, stockings, earrings, shawls, castanets… we buy them in Spain. When someone visits Saragossa we order some things from them. I have already visited a few haberdasheries and specialty stores this trip. Yesterday I bought scarves and stockings and I took fabric to make petticoats. We make some things there.

You tell us that this is not the first time you have visited Saragossa

F: The Government of Aragon has a secretariat that is in charge of the Houses of Aragon around the world. A couple of years ago they invited us to come for 10 days and we were able to get to know Aragon with a guide and participate in the Pilar Festival. We contacted the Xinglar Cultural Association and had the opportunity to rehearse with them. We did several presentations and it was very beautiful. We danced in the town hall of La Puebla de Alfindén, we participated in the offering and even in the Plaza del Pilar, which was packed. Before dancing we cried with emotion.

How was the experience of participating in the flower offering?

F: It was exciting. We made the offering with an Argentine flag, but with regional costumes from Aragon. Many asked us why we didn’t bring Argentine suits.

This question is already a classic of our section. What absurd object cannot be missing from your suitcase?

F: My hair dryer. And it’s absurd, I already knew that here you have hair dryers in the rooms. All hotels already have them, but they are not like mine.

C.D: And don’t think it’s a regular dryer. It’s a professional one… that takes up a lot of space in the suitcase.

What is the strangest thing that has happened to you in a hotel?

C.D: I remember a trip to Brazil in which we stayed in a very nice inn. Well, the first night we found a huge cockroach.

F: And it also came out of the closet, from among my things. I have a phobia of cockroaches and it was horrible. I started screaming and crying while Cristian laughed. I asked for a room change, but they only gave us insecticide.

C.D: The truth is that it ended up under my shoe, but it was no longer calm.

When do you plan to return to Saragossa?

F: Next year, if we manage to have vacations, we would like to come to Pilar. But it is difficult to coordinate it. In fact, we would love to be able to do a road trip through Aragón and stay a few days in Longás. It is always nice to return, Saragossa is my city in the world.