“It was never thought that a Trujillo mayor would do this”: organizers of the National Marinera Contest speak out

After an urgent meeting of the club’s board of directors, on Tuesday night it was reported that of the five Lima districts proposed to become the new venue for the event, Callao was chosen. The main reason is that the Sports Center, located in the Bellavista district and with a capacity for 6,100 spectators, is better suited to the requirements that were needed. In this regard, Burmester has highlighted the help of Governor Ciro Castillo. “Permits, here in Trujillo, are requested several weeks in advance. He has given them to us in a couple of days. That is having good will, not having the mood to boycott. That is the exact word. The mayor of Trujillo has wanted to boycott the contest”.

Ask for arguments

As recalled, Mayor Fernández mentioned that the Gran Chimú coliseum did not have a license or civil defense permits. Burmester showed the press the documents that certify that said permits, both for the coliseum and for the Club Libertad facilities, continue to be valid until 2024. Regarding the statements issued by the mayor himself, who has called the contest a ‘trout’, The representative of the organizers maintains that if there was something unusual in the competition, the jury would not be changed. “Each category has nine judges and they are always changed according to the draw. There is nothing tricky here. That’s why we have 40 people as part of the jury. The mayor is misinformed and only insults without giving arguments.

“There are people who compete and cannot assume that cost. How are they going to go to Lima if most of them live in Trujillo itself or in closer areas? Where are they going to get the money to stay for a week?”

Pedro Burmester / Spokesman for Club Libertad, organizer of the National Marinera Contest On the implications of the transfer of the venue of the contest to Lima.

On the other hand, the economic damage caused by the transfer of the contest to Lima is millionaire. According to figures handled by Club Libertad, it is estimated that the City of Eternal Spring would lose 25 million soles daily. Hotel and restaurant reservations are being canceled by those who came to Trujillo just to witness the marinera dances.

“The damage is great. Delegations from abroad should not have problems because they disembark in Lima and have the resources. But there are people who compete and cannot assume that cost. How are they going to go to Lima if most of them live in Trujillo itself or in closer areas? Where are they going to get the money to stay for a week in Lima? It was never thought that a Trujillo mayor would do this”says Burmester.

He also announced that a series of lawsuits against Mayor Fernández is being considered. “because you can’t lightly smear us. He has not only insulted the Burmester family, the board of directors, but also the jury that participates in the contest”. What will happen in the following three editions, taking into account that Fernández has just assumed the mayoralty of Trujillo and there would be three more editions under his mandate? We asked him. “It would be necessary to see if it lasts until 2026. As far as we know, he has several lawsuits against him. For now, this has taken us by surprise, but by next year we will have legal arguments that allow us to reverse this situation.”answer back.

It is known that so far there are around two thousand couples, both national and foreign, which will participate from January 24 to 29 in this sailor competition. “This is a private contest. The sailor is the heritage of all Peru and what Trujillo and Club Libertad have is a contest that has been held for 63 years. Nothing else, that’s all”concludes the spokesman.