A tile commemorates 'El Jerezano' at his dance academy

Calle Santa Cecilia in Jerez now has, as of this Friday, a tile dedicated to Cristóbal Fernández Mena, 'El Jerezano', at the place where for years he had his dance academy. The tribute has been held on the thirtieth anniversary of his death. Family members, friends and students of the academy attended the unveiling of the tile, together with the mayor of Jerez, María José García-Pelayo, and members of the municipal government. The event was organised by the Ayuntamiento and the family of the bailaor, and ended with a performance by Macarena de Jerez.

Cristóbal Fernández was a bailaor, choreographer and teacher. He started in dance because of the admiration he felt for Antonio 'El Bailarín', as the mayor has highlighted. In the 60s he taught classes at the Escuela Municipal de Baile and worked with the group 'Los zagales de Jerez'. After several years away from Jerez, he set up a new academy and launched the group 'Los niños flamencos de Jerez', which toured different stages in Andalucía. Artists such as Manuel Carpio, the siblings Domingo e Inmaculada Ortega, Ricardo Llamas, Antonio Neira and Macarena de Jerez were part of it. In 1981, the Cátedra de Flamencología y Estudios Folclóricos Andaluces awarded him the Copa Jerez al baile for his work as a teacher and a reference of the dance of Jerez.