El lugar de las almas sonrientes

Comment:

This book takes the exotic tradition of flying men as a point of departure, which is found in the lore of Central and South American peoples and has been inscribed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2009. Thus, it focuses on the discrimination suffered by Vaina, the protagonist, who is not allowed to take part in that ritual because she is a girl. In fact, females were even barred from approaching the central pole from whose ropes the flying dancers hung. However, Vaina will prove to her grandfather and other town elders that she is more than capable of performing as well as men do. Her courage will please the smiling forefathers, who realize that traditions can be enriched and adapted to new realities, as they contribute to building a fairer world. The ceremony, which involves throwing oneself into the void and dancing about while holding on to a thin rope, symbolizes women’s desire to fly free, unencumbered by the gender discrimination that may clip their wings. The volume is beautifully illustrated using a hue that evokes tropical birds. The girl’s name, Vaina, chosen by her grandfather because the child’s smell reminded him of the aroma of vanilla seeds, conjures up sensual pleasures.