The lieutenant brother of Esperanza de Triana, Esteban Romera, has been honoured as Trianero de Honor by the City Council of Seville, a recognition that will be presented to him on July 26. Romera, closely linked to the neighbourhood, has recalled the toughest years of La Velá, in the 80s and 90s.
On July 26, the City Council of Seville will present the title of Trianero de Honor to Esteban Romera, one of the most representative figures of the district. The distinction, awarded by the Triana District, recognises a career of over four decades connected to brotherhoods, music and the revival of traditions such as the Gozos de Santa Ana.
Romera, who took the oath of office as lieutenant brother of Esperanza de Triana on July 10 after historic elections with 2,065 votes, states that the recognition comes to him “at a very special moment.” “Those five letters, honour, are like gold to me,” he confessed in an interview from Pureza Street.
Born at the corner of Pagés del Corro and the old San Juan street, now Evangelista, Romera experienced his first contact with the neighbourhood on a Jueves de Carretas, when the Hermandad del Rocío began its journey. He was one of the first children baptised in San Jacinto, and days later, his father made him a brother of Esperanza de Triana. Since then, his entire life has unfolded in the neighbourhood: he studied at the José María del Campo School and at the Salesians of Triana, married in the Chapel of the Mariners, and his children were born there.
“Triana and the Romera family are intimately related. I cannot conceive my life without Triana and I always hope to contribute my bit to add everything I can to the neighbourhood,” he emphasised.
In addition to his role in Esperanza de Triana, Romera has been a founder and musician of the Agrupación Musical del Santísimo Cristo de las Tres Caídas de Triana, which later became the current cornets and drums band. He also founded the Cornets and Drums Band of San Juan Evangelista. Furthermore, he participated in the refounding of the brotherhoods of the Pastora de Triana and the Carmen de Santa Ana, of which he was a spiritual advisor.
“I am very proud to have contributed my bit so that those two brotherhoods have a wonderful life today in the Triana neighbourhood,” he stated.
One of the chapters that brings him the most satisfaction is the recovery of the Gozos de Santa Ana, a tradition that marks the eve of July 26. Alongside Julio Vera and Guillermo Lazo, Romera promoted this initiative, in which the Banda de las Tres Caídas played a leading role. “When the Banda de las Tres Caídas de Triana climbs the bell tower to sing the lullaby to Señora Santa Ana on that special and very Triana night, I feel very proud,” he commented.
Romera has been a member of the Velá Commission for 25 years, a celebration he has experienced firsthand and which, as he recalls, went through difficult moments in the 80s and 90s. “The atmosphere at La Velá was very bad, and it must be said like that. We tried to get the brotherhoods, clubs and corporations of all kinds to get involved personally. Although today La Velá is in much better health. In these 25 or 30 years, a lot has been gained,” he explained.
The award ceremony will take place on Sunday, July 26, thus closing a season that Romera describes as “dreamlike.” The new Trianero de Honor assures that he takes on the responsibility with humility and a desire to continue working for the neighbourhood. “When you are small, you see that position as something too big, and when you are the one who holds it, you understand the immense responsibility it carries. I would like to rise to the occasion in the coming years,” he remarked in reference to his role as lieutenant brother.
The news has been received with joy in the neighbourhood, where Romera is a very beloved person. His name joins the list of illustrious trianeros who have received this recognition, an honour that, according to him, “greatly moves” him.
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