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The Cuban Ceila Fong Padrón, known artistically as Xei, surprised the Mexican band Maná with her talent for playing the Galician bagpipe while performing a traditional song on the steps of the Arco de Xelmírez, next to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
The unexpected meeting took place last Friday, in the lead-up to the Maná concert at the O Gozo Festival, where the band was so captivated by their performance of muiñeiras that they offered to share the stage with them.
Xei, originally from Santiago de Cuba, emigrated to Galicia over 20 years ago to study Chemistry, but traditional Galician music eventually captured her heart. For the past decade, she has played the bagpipes in the streets of the historic center of Santiago de Compostela, where she has become a cultural icon.
“I was playing a song when a group of people stopped. They asked me for sharper pieces, so I performed several fast muiñeiras, including A Freixa,” the artist told the newspaper La Voz de Galicia.
Without knowing that they were the members of Maná, the Cuban agreed to chat and take photos with them. It was then that a tour guide revealed the identities of her listeners.
Upon discovering who she was, the musicians invited her to perform with them the next day at the concert in Monte do Gozo, the closing of their tour in the Iberian Peninsula. The Cuban bagpiper declined the offer due to not having rehearsed, but Maná gifted her tickets to attend the show, where the bagpiper Carlos Núñez ultimately performed as a special guest.
"I don't regret saying no, but it was a lovely gesture. I found it incredible how close they are after so many years in their careers," said the Cuban.
Ceila Fong represents the story of many Cubans who, far from their homeland, manage to forge their path and stand out in very different cultural contexts. Today, she lives off her music and her work in her own garden, feeling fully integrated in Galicia, where she proudly defends her dual identity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Xei's performance with Maná in Santiago de Compostela
Who is Xei and why did they catch Maná's attention?
Xei, whose real name is Ceila Fong Padrón, is a Cuban who emigrated to Galicia over 20 years ago. She is known for playing the Galician bagpipe on the streets of Santiago de Compostela. She caught the attention of Maná with her performance of muiñeiras, which left the Mexican group captivated before their concert at the O Gozo Festival.
Why didn't Xei accept Maná's invitation to perform at their concert?
Xei declined the invitation to perform with Maná at their concert because he had not rehearsed previously with the group. While he appreciated the gesture, he chose not to perform without the proper preparation, demonstrating a commitment to the quality of his performance.
How does Xei integrate into Galician culture being Cuban?
Xei feels fully integrated into Galician culture, where she has found a deep connection with the traditional music of the region. Despite her Cuban roots, she has embraced the Galician bagpipe as a means of artistic expression and has become a cultural symbol in Santiago de Compostela.
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