Danny GalanEcuadorian writer and singer-songwriter, in an exclusive interview for EL COMERCIO, spoke about his new book for children ‘The Lord of the Waters and the Hidden Treasure’.
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This June 16th the book launch in the Girón canton, which is celebrating 200 years of cantonization, at 11:00, in the well-known Salón del Pueblo. Admission will be free and there will be interventions by the book team, musical acts, dance and other surprises.
In the coming months there will also be a tour of presentation of the book in several cities: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Philadelphia. Visits will be made to schools, libraries and churches, to publicize not only the book but also the charms of Ecuador.
The book will be on sale to the general public through the social networks from the author, @dannygalanmusic. The song and the ‘video clip’ are also available on the digital platforms YouTube, Facebook and Spotify.
Tell us a little about your life and work
‘The Lord of the Waters and the Hidden Treasure’ is a children’s book which I have been working on for about two years. It is a tribute to my homeland, the Girón cantonAzuay, a few minutes from Cuenca.
It is a magical story with historical touches and human values. The objective of this book is to encourage, of course, reading and reinforce identityso that children have a book that talks about them, their people, their traditions, their environment and their culture.
I have been in the US for three years with my wife and two children. The fact of being outside of Ecuador makes me closer to my country, where you are from, and this project has definitely attached me to my roots.
There are many Ecuadorians whose children were born in the US, and perhaps this book, which will also be distributed here, is a space where they can learn about their past, their identity and share reading as a family.
Regarding the role of migrantThanks to friends, acquaintances from the canton and some signatures, 1,000 copies were printed for free, which will be distributed in different institutions and spaces in Girón to promote reading and identity.
How was the work on the creation of ‘The Lord of the Waters’?
The creation work was like a non-stop journey, with many ideas. I am very creative; in my facet of singer-songwriter I have the freedom to travel and write about unimaginable places and people.
Maybe it wasn’t complicated for me when writing this story, beyond the fact that it is accompanied by a nostalgic theme when talking about my land.
When the story was put together, I had an impeccable work team. Thanks to Sonia Criollowho was the total coordinator of this story, and of course, to Silvia Ortizthe general editor, and Kelibeth Ullaguari in the illustrations.
I told them that this book should breathe and smell like Giron, and indeed it was. It is a book that can be seen at the bullfighting festival, unique places such as the El Chorro waterfall, La Casa de los Treaties, among others.
In some way, what this book captures is a vision of what I was able to see and experience when I was a child in Giron. However, this charismatic little town is like many in our country, full of landscapes, fauna, unique architecture and characters that we meet in daily life.
Where did the idea for the book come from?
The idea arose when my son’s teacher invited me to sing some songs and read a book in front of her students.
I was left a little empty, wondering how nice it would be to read to these children something that talks about me, about my people, about the natural places that my canton, my country, has.
Since then, the nights did not let me sleep until, almost two years later, I had the book in my hands.
Tell us about the music that accompanies your book
I have been doing music more than 15 years in different styles, and music runs through my veins. In fact, I had written a song precisely for this book, but something told me I didn’t have to go.
I tell you that the song when you think of me It has a degree of nostalgia because I remember it a lot when my older brother, Santiago, had an accident and almost died.
While I was going to see him at the hospital, I heard this song, and the truth is that it suited the moment, since, in addition, the song and its lyrics are very close to a love of the landto any feeling you have close.
I contacted Carlos Ramonwho recorded the guitar, and then, with great embarrassment, I spoke to Hector Napolitano. I told him about the project; He is a man who is always open to music and the arts. He congratulated me and gave way to do a duet and make this the soundtrack of the book.
What will the little ones find in ‘The Lord of the Waters’?
You will find adventure, magic, history, everyday characters, mysteries, unknowns, and visually, you will find an illustrated Girón of fantasy and fun, thanks to the collaboration of the talented Kelibeth Ullaguariwho did the illustrations and design of the book.
