The Day I Meet the President

by Mariana Zanotto, Soloist of the Hamburg Ballet
It was a Thursday afternoon in the ballet studio learning yet another important role of my career. I was happy with the tambourine in my hand, rehearsing the steps of Esmeralda, when Richard Hoynes, the pianist called me over. Discretely, he showed me the city’s newspaper that said: The Brazilian President Lula da Silva comes to Hamburg. I started to read the small excerpt that explained the visit of the Brazilian President who would attend a business meeting between Brazil and Germany which was going to happen on the following Friday. At the same moment, without knowing the exact reason, I felt that I really had to meet him!

Thiago Bordin, Leslie Heymann, President President Lula da Silva
and Mariana Zanotto / © Mariana Zanotto 

The following days I was just thinking of a way to have the opportunity to at least see him. Who knows, if I was lucky I could even take a picture of him… Since he claimed the presidency almost eight years ago, he had provided great changes of extreme importance. I realized that the poor people in Brazil are finally having the chance to have a better quality of life. The forests there are slowly being saved and Brazil is finally getting the appreciation and respect it deserves. There would surely be plenty of reasons to thank him if I could only have a chance to speak to him. 

It came to my mind at last to go to the Press section to ask for some help. It was already the end of a hard working day when Anna and Andrea, with their goodwill, helped me by sending an e-mail to the consulate asking if there would be a possibility to attend this wonderful and historical event. I asked them also to give the names of my fellow Brazilian dancing friends Thiago Bordin and Leslie Heylmann. I must confess that at that particular moment my recent dream started to fade away. Maybe I was dreaming too high up… but there was still a small hope inside of me. 

Thursday morning was very cold and I went to the Opera where we were rehearsing for the upcoming Premiere of Orpheus. During a short break I meet Leslie who came to me with a joyful smile on her face screaming that we were going to have lunch with the President! I wanted to surprise my friends, but I was the one who was surprised when Anna handed the official Invitation of the Senatsfrühstück of the city Hall to me. 

I couldn’t believe that was happening… Friday finally arrived and I stood there together with Leslie and Thiago, in front of the city hall surrounded by flags of my country, waiting for the time to join the event. As we entered and gave our names, there was someone already waiting to take us to the room where the lunch was going to be held. I could already hear the voice of the President as we passed the Salon… my heart started to pound with excitement. The room was prepared with tables that were beautifully decorated with fine dishes and lovely flowers. Suddenly, I realized that each chair had a name of a guest and immediately I spotted my name. As I read the other names, I felt so honoured to be surrounded by Ministers, Managers and Diplomats. The middle table was reserved for the President and the Mayor of Hamburg. 

The conference had finished and people started to come in and there he was. I remembered his face from TV Programs, Magazines and Newspapers. Specially now, from such a small distance, I could see the generosity in the eyes of a great man. We all sat, presented ourselves to the other guest and started our meal. The food was refined and delicious and at the same time I realized how lucky I was to be there. Thiago, Leslie and I seemed to be the only artists in that room and people were pleased to have us there. At one point, the President and the Mayor stood up to say a few words. When Lula started talking, I looked at my friends and I felt immensely proud of that man who fights for our rights and freedom. Shortly after dessert, someone from my table offered to present us to the President after hearing my story of how I came to be there. I just couldn’t believe… was this real? Was I really going to meet the leader of a country? Yes, and we did. We were presented as the dancers from the State Ballet of Hamburg, and he immediately kissed each of us, asking where we were from in Brazil. As I found a moment, I congratulated him for making our country being recognized internationally. He squeezed my hand tight and opened a smile that I will never forget. 

It was an experience of a lifetime from the beginning to the end. I always had a hope that my country would have someone someday that would fight for the ones who need the most, and my emotions were a proof that I had met that person… our beloved President Lula.

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