A big
moment for you. I can easily identify with some of your feelings. My guess is that it will take you around two
years to feel free of your duties as a teacher.
The walk to freedom is more complex. (D.W.)
Congratulations on finally escaping the
tyranny of the timetable (S.R)
Dear Jose,
I printed
out your attachment and it too went around with me…
Thank you
for attaching your retirement "manifesto". Recalling my own
retirement speech over 25 years ago, it too was filled with hopes and plans for
the future. You have the positive advantage of seeing directly the products of
your career in the successful lives of the students you have taught…
With your
wide-ranging world view and tolerance of the various viewpoints of others, I
would see you as an excellent person to assume that role…
Of course,
you probably have many ideas and plans of your own and I wish you well for you
deserve every positive thing that life has to offer. But, knowing you, I know that
sitting a rocking chair, watching television, is not a life you would relish.
Your statement was concise but informative but the interview was even more
revealing of your keen spirit and animation. Thank you for including Vivian and
myself in your list of English-speaking friends.
(M.M.)
I applied
my thinking to your stellar career.
I would
divide it into parts. Your human talents in many areas, psychology, organizing
groups, achieving long term goals of setting people up to be competent professionals
and knowing your subjects well enough to transmit them usefully.
The other
part is less sexy. Education has been replaced by obedience and job training.
CORE mean anything to you. Result focus. You write clearly .Great come back.
Good stuff (P.T.)
My farewell
along with all the ex-pats who have had the honour to know you. (A.P.)
Congratulations!
Thank you
for the files too. Those writings clearly tell me how much you love your job
with pride both in yourself and your students. That's so
beautiful…(A.I.)
From a
friend in Nerja I recently received a copy of the article in the Market Place
on the occasion of your retirement, and
I have also heard from Tony that during his upcoming stay in Nerja he will be
attending your farewell reception.
I am only
sorry I cannot be there in person to wish you well, and to thank you most
sincerely for our very positive and close cooperation, - through NADFAS (now
The Arts Society), and the Capistrano Lectures, which fortunately are
continuing in the capable hands of Sue Richards,
As
inspirational teacher, and through your contacts with the ex-pat community, you
have left an indelible mark on both the young people in your care and the many
friends within international circles. I have always believed that we are put on
this planet to make a difference - you certainly have and your legacy will live
on for many years to come.
I seem to
remember that one of your ambitions on retiring was to travel more - "to
travel is to live" as Hans Christian Andersen once wrote in his book
"Travels in Spain" (his statue is on the Alameda in Malaga across
from Plaza Marina).
Enjoy your
new life in the knowledge of a job very well done.(R.K.)
David Goodland reviewing History comes alive for the NHG some time ago:
"First talk
of the year was given by José Manuel
Cabezas, author of over 30 books, winner of a Fulbright Scholarship, and
head of English at The Instituto Sierra Almijara, Nerja. Senor Cabezas also has a great sense of humour
which makes listening to him pure delight.
He began with a slide show of 20th
Century images of Spain, winding up with the specific subject of his talk, ‘Life
under Franco’. We saw fascist salutes
given by children, Hitler and Franco arm in arm, the grey ranks of the imprisoned
(all Spain was a prison) and revealing images of domestic poverty.
I´ve always harboured a
visceral distrust, disdain and repulsion for unfounded authoritarian sheepdogs
and those who live in thrall to them and their rules which benefit them....
David Goodland reviewing History comes alive for the NHG some time ago:
"First talk of the year was given by José Manuel Cabezas, author of over 30 books, winner of a Fulbright Scholarship, and head of English at The Instituto Sierra Almijara, Nerja. Senor Cabezas also has a great sense of humour which makes listening to him pure delight.
He began with a slide show of 20th
Century images of Spain, winding up with the specific subject of his talk, ‘Life
under Franco’. We saw fascist salutes
given by children, Hitler and Franco arm in arm, the grey ranks of the imprisoned
(all Spain was a prison) and revealing images of domestic poverty.
Having
established the atmosphere of his childhood in the 50’s and 60’s, Senor Cabezas
became quietly personal. He told us of his University days in Malaga and
Granada; campus policing and threats to the fragile democracy established in
1977. He gave us a rare insight into a church/state conspiracy; of draconian
divorce laws, rigid adherence to tradition, and most importantly, daily fear.
Like the fear that held Manuel Cortez, ex-Mayor of Mijas, a prisoner in his own
home for 30 years.
He went on to praise the politicians who
refused to cower under parliament benches in 1981. (Some are still alive, as is
the figurehead of the uprising.) These were the days when the young King, Juan
Carlos, walked a tight-rope between the old 19th Century Militarists
and the Technocrats’ hopes for Spain as part of a democratic Europe.
Senor
Cabezas is a bridge builder with a stunning command of English. His love of
humanity is obvious; his belief in his students, past and present, unshakeable.
He believes in education. He is an
apologist for neither right nor left. By
listing facts and statistics he denies Fascism its comfort and Liberalism its
complacency. He is outspoken. In fact, he is a whiff of fresh air.
Normally we
enjoy talks at the Nerja History Group, but José Manuel, 26 years in the
classroom, sparked a lively debate. He
also put the present in some perspective, offered us an unusually optimistic
view of the future and brought history to life."(Thanks ever so much for your encouraging words)
