In his book “Valladolid en la Nostalgia”, Don Néstor describes the customs and traditions of the inhabitants of the “Sultana de Oriente”…//
VALLADOLID — The place occupied by Valladolid is the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula. The city, also known as Zacihual, “Tierra del Gavilán Blanco” (Land of the White Hawk”), hundreds of years ago was a strategic site for the ancient Mayans. Today’s “Magical Town” has a history that is an icon of courage, empathy, and a lot of love for the land where they were born, said the city chronicler Leonel Escalante Aguilar.
He highlighted that Valladolid has several chroniclers such as Don Néstor Aguilar Pérez, who is a living witness to the history of this colonial city, about which he wrote a book called “Valladolid in Nostalgia”.
“The book shines because the readers of today are transported to a time of traditions and customs in the life of the Valladolid of yesterday, they live with the stories of what were the October Nights, Hanal Pixán, carnivals, sporting events and their stars, as well as the events that our city experienced throughout history,” said Escalante Aguilar.
It is worth remembering that the Sultana de Oriente will host the July 31 to August 4 National Meeting of Chroniclers of the Country, so we must also recognize the work and effort made by our Valladolid chroniclers, including Don Néstor.
Surveyor by profession, Aguilar Pérez is a person who lives in love with Valladolid, proud of his roots and who reflected in his writings published in various newspapers many anecdotes, passages and memories that were compiled in “Valladolid en la Nostalgia”.
It was during the municipal administration 1998-2001 when the first edition of this book was completed, with the help of the teacher Juan Julián González Hernández, who compiled and classified the information. In that first printing, 500 copies were printed.
In his writings, Don Néstor transports us to those unforgettable times and in this way these anecdotes are promoted among the new generations.
“Valladolid in Nostalgia” arises from the feeling and love that Don Néstor has for this noble land. This book is the result of a compilation of the writings he wrote about the beautiful and heroic city of Valladolid, where he was born and for which he has a fond affection. The work is a walk through our beloved city, and it lists characters and events that have been recorded in memories and customs, as well as what has already been obliterated completely by new ways of life. It is the evocation of a jovial past that has vanished in the present, others are memories and yearnings, but it is said that remembering is to live again.
“With “Valladolid in Nostalgia” traditional values were rescued that have forged over the years the character of Valladolid, such as love of work, perseverance, fighting spirit, culture, etc. That is why the new generations must know it,” he concluded.
Text and photo: Edmundo Hernández
