“And beyond
Sitges...
The projection of
The Sitges Quarterly Magazine makes it possible”
Going
through my files I came across this interview from March 2012 and felt it to be
as true today as it was three years ago when I created the SQ. I have posted it here
because originally it was only available in Spanish and now, through this blog
it can be shared to an even wider audience… and, I’m also happy to say the
enthusiasm conveyed in the interview for the magazine, its readers and for
Sitges still lives in me!
Q & A
with Cheyenne Crump
Cheyenne
Crump is the editor of The Sitges
Quarterly magazine; much more than a magazine about Sitges. It’s a place in
which to reflect on the cultural dynamics of business here and of the people,
their traditions and their daily lives, the summer effect on the town and the
quiet of its corners...The Sitges
Quarterly is a firm and clear commitment to promote our profile beyond its
borders, bringing Sitges to other environs from a fan, with a cool, refreshing
perspective...
It is
that Cheyenne has a Sitgetano soul, and this soul has been able to put it in
print, a move that certainly deserves our support.
The
internationalization of Sitges, our projection abroad may be one aspect that
requires more attention to our future—considering our strengths, our knowledge,
development, our ability to generate wealth, and connectivity...The Sitges Quarterly magazine can be
understood today as a model of action of which we must not lose sight. From Sitges DC, we applaud the importance of
this initiative and we congratulate Cheyenne Crump whom I have the pleasure of
interviewing at this time.
Sitges DC Blog: What is The
Sitges Quarterly and how was it born? How has this idea thrived?
CC: The idea for
The Sitges Quarterly magazine was born
one day as I walked along the Paseo Maritimo admiring (yet again) the beauty of
Sitges and I thought - what could possibly make it a better place? It occurred
to me that I knew quite a bit about the town’s history, but lacked in knowledge
of day-to-day, current events. Yes, this information is readily available to
many people however, nothing was easily accessible for visitors and residents
new to Sitges.
Consequently,
I thought a local magazine could be a good idea if written in the 3 most widely
spoken languages in Sitges, broadening its reach; and when discussing the
concept with friends, they all agreed and wished a magazine like that
existed.
Sitges DC Blog: What are the
basic objectives of The Sitges Quarterly?
CC: The mission
of The Sitges Quarterly is to be an
interesting source of information pertaining to contemporary Sitges in Catalan,
English and Spanish. We endeavour to inform the diverse population of Sitges
and visitors of the town’s history, its present and how it is positioning
itself for the future.
We
are also committed to using environmentally responsible materials to produce a
magazine with beautiful, tasteful graphic design and visually arresting images;
featuring a quarterly calendar of events, regular columns, wide-ranging essays,
interviews and profiles.
Sitges DC Blog: What is the
function of the magazine?
CC: This
question, I think refers to the vision we have for the magazine.
Its purpose:
to promote
awareness of Sitges life and how we live.
to present a
deeper profile of Sitges that can also be used as a guide.
to celebrate
the diversity in Sitges and the Catalan culture that we share.
to promote
the values of community, cooperation and respect.
to open doors
for innovation aimed at environmentally sustainable, healthy living.
Sitges DC Blog: How much of
the culture and traditions of Sitges do you think is known beyond our
territorial borders?
CC: That’s
difficult to answer, Sitges is a relatively known resort town. I believe this
aspect of Sitges relates to not only those of us who have come from abroad and
made a home here, but also predominately to those Sitgetanos who have moved
away, whether to somewhere else in Catalunya, Spain or elsewhere in the world.
If Sitges is in your blood (however it got there!), there would be a natural
interest in what happens here. And I think the magazine appeals to that
interest… I think it can also appeal to tourists who come to Sitges on holiday
or for business, in general, and to those who visit year after year.
Sitges DC Blog: Do you think
we need a policy that encourages greater visibility of our people outside the
Spanish state?
CC: That depends
on the aim of the policy. For example, it could be designed to attract
opportunities to diversify the local economy. Sitges has, in the past,
manufactured shoes, automobile parts and even, spinning reels for fishing rods (carretes) and it would be better
economically for us not to be solely dependant on tourism.
Sitges DC Blog: In this
sense, there is something in you beyond your role as editor ... a point of
activism that seeks to intervene at will to transform, maybe boost the Sitges
brand...
CC: I take that
as a compliment! Thank you.
Living in a community is about assistance. Today, we use the term
networking. Helping one another… as you can tell, I have a love for Sitges. I
have always felt embraced here, I am proud to live here. I think it is a very
unique place for several reasons, and yes, I seek every opportunity to share it
with others—who knows, maybe people who visit will return home and emulate a
little of what we have here. That, I think, could help shape the places in
which they live, little by little making the world better.
Sitges DC Blog: What future
dreams do you have for this publication?
CC: To be used.
To be used as an introduction to Sitges. To be used as a guide to Sitges and to
be used as a conduit or forum for open communication and for exchanging ideas.
I hope it encourages collaboration—that’s where the interest lies for
me. I have the hope of learning from one another, and taking what is best in
each of us, and incorporating that into our way of life.
Sitges DC Blog: Congratulations again, Cheyenne... and the best of luck for The Sitges Quarterly magazine.
____________________
The blog, Sitges DC (Cultural District) created by Lola Cañete, is a
space dedicated to culture, but from the private sector... “where I try to
highlight the strong cultural dynamism that is in the people from the hand of a
strong dose of creativity, innovation and talent... It is primarily a space for
debate and reflection on some of the most important issues of culture and have
also reflected in a town like ours”.
www.sitgesdc.blogspot.com
lola.canete@thalasa.net
