Hi, trust all going well. Here’s a link to one of my favourite films. In my opinion one of the best films set during the Spanish Civil War — far better, I think, than Ken Loach’s Land & Freedom.
Took me years to track down a version with reliably good English subtitles.
When you get a couple of hours you may enjoy it. All the best.
Hi Kevin, good write up — however it is incomplete. There existed 92 tablaos in Barcelona during the 1920s and 1930s. 92! Some of the most talented flamenco singers and musicians and dancers were born and bred in Barcelona. (And don't forget Rumba Catalana).
However, post la Guerra Civil, Spanish conservatives and Catalan nationalists confected a false narrative that suited both. (In fact many Catalan conservatives denied for many years that the Romans ever occupied the city — while reluctantly agreeing that the Romans once occupied and developed Tarragona — and refused to support for archaeological excavations, claiming that the city was occupied and built by Laietans (which is largely why Barcelona has a main street called Via Laietana).
I have an elderly friend who still remembers going with his father to the frontons (jai-alai or pelota courts) across Barcelona — there were 14 of them in the 1950s and early '60s.
Franco's revisionist narrative of Spain decreed that each region would/could have its own speciality. To whit Valencia became known for it paellas, (even though Catalunya and the Baleares had been expert rice growers since the 14th century); and Andalucia became known for its flamenco and sevillanas, (even though the performers were considered of 'lesser' gypsy stock); and Aragón became known for la jota; and País Vasco for its jai-alai or pelota, log chopping and stone throwing competitions. Galicia for its fresh seafood such as octopus and berberechos (cockles)- Asturias for its milk and cheeses. And so on, and so on.
Franco ruled the country as if it were a collection of potentially rebellious colonies. He ruled by pitting, or playing off, one region against another in hope that they would never regroup and threaten his position.
He was helped in this endeavour by American Express and Conrad Hilton's hotel chain. (The Madrid Hilton hotel was the first Hilton hotel built in Europe — in 1953, while much of the population was still suffering hunger and famine)
We went to the City Hall Theatre years ago. Glad to hear it’s still going. The passion of the dancers and dancing is what matters. And the storytelling. My girls will never forget it.
You should consider writing a book about Barcelona so we could have this great info in one place!
Hey, there's an idea...
Hi, trust all going well. Here’s a link to one of my favourite films. In my opinion one of the best films set during the Spanish Civil War — far better, I think, than Ken Loach’s Land & Freedom.
Took me years to track down a version with reliably good English subtitles.
When you get a couple of hours you may enjoy it. All the best.
https://kolektiva.media/w/o63vDgbG8ScSnsdqRggyiU
Thanks, Bill
Hi Kevin, good write up — however it is incomplete. There existed 92 tablaos in Barcelona during the 1920s and 1930s. 92! Some of the most talented flamenco singers and musicians and dancers were born and bred in Barcelona. (And don't forget Rumba Catalana).
However, post la Guerra Civil, Spanish conservatives and Catalan nationalists confected a false narrative that suited both. (In fact many Catalan conservatives denied for many years that the Romans ever occupied the city — while reluctantly agreeing that the Romans once occupied and developed Tarragona — and refused to support for archaeological excavations, claiming that the city was occupied and built by Laietans (which is largely why Barcelona has a main street called Via Laietana).
I have an elderly friend who still remembers going with his father to the frontons (jai-alai or pelota courts) across Barcelona — there were 14 of them in the 1950s and early '60s.
Franco's revisionist narrative of Spain decreed that each region would/could have its own speciality. To whit Valencia became known for it paellas, (even though Catalunya and the Baleares had been expert rice growers since the 14th century); and Andalucia became known for its flamenco and sevillanas, (even though the performers were considered of 'lesser' gypsy stock); and Aragón became known for la jota; and País Vasco for its jai-alai or pelota, log chopping and stone throwing competitions. Galicia for its fresh seafood such as octopus and berberechos (cockles)- Asturias for its milk and cheeses. And so on, and so on.
Franco ruled the country as if it were a collection of potentially rebellious colonies. He ruled by pitting, or playing off, one region against another in hope that they would never regroup and threaten his position.
He was helped in this endeavour by American Express and Conrad Hilton's hotel chain. (The Madrid Hilton hotel was the first Hilton hotel built in Europe — in 1953, while much of the population was still suffering hunger and famine)
Thanks, Bill. Great stories and information…
We went to the City Hall Theatre years ago. Glad to hear it’s still going. The passion of the dancers and dancing is what matters. And the storytelling. My girls will never forget it.
That’s it. Everybody finds their spot. It’s all about the experience and the people. And that is a cool spot…
Interesting read: https://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/features/culture/song-and-dance-flamenco-legend-carmen-amaya/
Thanks, Bill
As Eisenhower famously said, after signing accords with Franco for air and naval bases, "He may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch now."