Lifestyle/Community
Top honour for Jewish Spanish dancer
The Spanish ambassador to South Africa, Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz, awarded Jewish Spanish dancer and teacher Hillaine Barbara Sachs – best known in the dancing world as Helena Montoya – the Commander of Isabella the Catholic Award in Pretoria last week.
DIANE WOLFSON
This honour was at the behest of King Felipe of Spain, for Sachs’ contribution to Spanish dancing in South Africa.
Sachs, who belongs to the International Spanish Dance Society, shares her passion with José Montoya, founder of the Spanish Dance Montoya Academy. The legacy of the Montoya Academy is continued by Sachs’ daughter Mandy Lee, who dances and teaches under the name María Lorca Montoya.
On conferring the award on Sachs, the ambassador spoke with warmth about her obvious talents, her generosity, passion and dedication to her art, which came at great sacrifice.
“Sachs’ distinguished career as an outstanding performer, choreographer, teacher and international examiner of flamenco, has greatly strengthened the cultural relations between Spain and South Africa” he said.
Apart from the many performances which she arranges, Sachs regularly takes her troupe of dancers to perform at numerous old aged homes and other institutions and her never saying no to any needy cause, is legendary in Pretoria.
In her acceptance speech, Sachs thanked Hashem for keeping her on her journey, giving her the strength and wisdom to follow and continue with her passion and to never give up.
She paid tribute to Dame Hazel Acosta with whom she performed in television and shows, Luisa Cortez for playing a huge role in her career and all those who travelled the journey with her over the years.