February 27, 2014 WALKS IN HISTORY: ¡Viva el Carnaval! Text & photo by José Antonio Pilares
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tarting last Saturday, one of the most popular festivals in Rota's calendar kicked off: El Carnaval. Now, our Carnaval is not what most Americans would know as a “carnival”, it is rather more akin to the “Mardi-Gras” of New Orleans.Although it is a semi-Christian festivity, historians trace its roots back to Roman times and their “Lupercalia”, festivals based on drinking and fertility. In Rota, and the Bay of Cádiz, it is a great chance to have fun in the street with friends and strangers alike while dressed up or behind a mask, to eat, drink, dance and listen to choirs of singers.And all for almost nothing! To a modern-day reader this might come as a surprise, but Carnaval was for a long time to Spaniards the festival of liberty. Consider that Spain was for most of its recent history a deeply Catholic country, where many actions such as public displays of laughter, drinking, affection or nakedness were always looked upon with disapproval by society and the ever-present Church. Carnaval was historically a time, just before the beginning of Lent, where almost everything was permitted; a way of letting people have all the fun they could get before forty days of abstinence from meat, alcohol and sex in remembrance of the passion of Christ. To people subjected to this abstinence, Carnaval was the time to freely express themselves; to make satirical songs about the Government, the Church and Society, for gay men to dress up as women or the other way around, a time to attempt having and affair under the supposed protection of a mask or a disguise...Anything went! Over the centuries, our Carnaval has evolved its own distinctive forms which set it clearly apart from those of Venice or Río de Janeiro. I will not say one is better than the other,
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they are just different. The main event of Rota's, and Cádiz's, Carnaval is the singing of the satirical choirs:“las chirigotas”.These groups write their own new songs every year making puns at anything the past year has made big news: Olympic games, Government, a TV series, some famous person's hard times...You name it! They usually pick a theme and dress accordingly to it, trying to make their music sound along with their theme. For example, one chirigota you could run into are “Los del Almirante” -”the Admiral's men”- and theme themselves as American sailors (although their uniforms are more French than American); many of the jokes they make are about how Spaniards deal with sailors stationed here, and how these sailors live here, their music is full of American themes including the Star-Spangled banner. This singing is so popular that there is even a local contest to decide which is the best chirigota in Rota, and the competition is though. For a non-Spanish speaker it might be hard to understand the singers, but the costumes are worth seeing, and many choirs are worth listening to even if only for the music's sake. These groups can be seen moving around the old part of town with their guitars and drums, ready to sing at a bar, or a stage, o maybe even a street corner if they feel that there is a willing public...And it is all for free. Of course they accept payment in the form of some beers, or maybe selling a CD with their songs, but they are not going to ask anyone to pay for the show. It is done for fun! You can find the brochure for the Carnival events in many businesses around town, but to sum it up I'll just say that the BIG partying begins on Saturday the 1st of March and goes on for a week.The main places to go are Calle Mina, Plazoleta Mina and Plaza de las Canteras, where most of the singers perform, and the large tent being installed in the parking lot at Calle Padre Capote.That tent becomes a makeshift disco were young and old alike meet dressed up, although it is usually hard to classify the older people there as “old” as they are as lively as the young! Entrance is of course free and a great time is to be had there with friends or strangers. Rota's Carnaval is just a small town thing.The big Carnaval is held across the Bay from here: in Cádiz. Cádiz is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the West with three thousand years of History, and at least five hundred of Carnaval. It developed its style from the mix of traditional medieval Catholic carnaval, the masquerades brought by merchants from Genoa that settled there in the XVI century onwards, and the different music that came with the trade with the Americas and Africa. This mix created a democratic Carnaval where anyone could dress up however they preferred, with no aristocratic balls like in Venice and where foreigners were more than welcomed to share in the fun in exchange for their own songs from home.
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Carnaval became central to the volksgeist of Cádiz, and was never interrupted; not even during the four-year-long siege that Napoleon's army put the city through in 1808-1812. An interruption did occur just after the Spanish Civil War in 1939. The dictatorship established after the war didn't look kindly on people with masks, on people not being “good Catholics” and most importantly of all on people thinking and speaking freely for themselves. Carnaval was outlawed and anyone trying to celebrate it were quickly put in jail for some time.Things began changing in 1947 after it became clear that the dictatorship could not erase Carnaval from existence, and to make matters worse, a huge explosion in the Cádiz naval yard levelled parts of the city.At last, Carnaval came back to life, but in August, not February, and named “Typical Cádiz Festivities”; all under strict Government control and censorship. The singing and the singing competition restarted. Many of the song writers found ways to disguise their satirical songs against the state, others didn't even try and were put in jail for their criticism... But eventually freedom prevailed, as it always does.With democracy Carnaval went back to February without censorship and the festival of liberty regained its freedom. Some songs of this period were quickly forgotten, whilst others became classics in Carnaval's history. “Pasodobles”, “tangos” and “cuplets” such as “Los duros antiguos”,“La gaditana”,“El vaporcito del Puerto”,“Me han dicho que el amarillo” or “Iba por Canalejas” have become songs that gaditanos everywhere know and sing at any chance, and new classics are in the making even as we speak... This year the singing contest is well underway -the Final being on Friday the 28th- with many songs criticising the economical crisis, Government, other singers and a new development: the Crown. Never before had so many songs talked about the King, or openly called for a new Spanish Republic. But these are all opinions, and are to be respected even if not shared, that is Carnaval: saying and doing what you want to, while respecting those around you, and accepting what they do even if you do not share it. So this coming week put on a costume, the more foolishlooking the better, get together with some friends or meet Spaniards that will be more that willing to share the fun with you, and hit the streets. Spend some time in Rota, but don't forget to visit Cádiz, and I assure you that soon you WILL be singing songs you did not know you liked in the middle of the street, having a great time and sharing a bottle of Manzanilla wine with those around you. “¡Qué bonito está mi Cádiz, que bonita es mi ciudad, qué rebosa de alegría cuando llega Carnaval!”
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February 27, 2014
Jerez's Flamenco Festival Text & Photos by MarĂa HIguero
February 27, 2014
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mazing start for Jerez’s Flamenco Festival in Villamarta’s theatre. Kojima & Latorre Ballet Flamenco with Fatum! Ballet inspired in Italian opera La Forza del Destino by Giuseppe Verdi. Continuing until March 8th with artists such as Olga Pericet, Marcos Velo or Grillo among others. Traditional and ground breaking colorful mix of ways to understand Spain’s most popular dance.
February 27, 2014
Get Ready for Carnival Carnival is right around the corner so get ready. Tomorrow is the Day of Andalucía and there are several activities you can enjoy in Rota such as a parade starting at 11 a.ml near the base and later on there will be lots of things going on in the street. You can get acquainted with some of the carnival groups and taste some of the typical dishes of Rota and Andalucía. The following is some additional information about the new ads this week. Gartel Gartel offers broad band Internet with the possibility of contracting a land line phone as well. The prices are currently unbeatable: Broadband internet from 20€ per month and 13€ more if you also want the land line. You can have the mobile phone connection for 9€ per month. There is no limit on downloads and the speed you contract is guaranteed. There are flat rates for international calls on land line and mobile phones. Aside from the price, the best news is that there is no requirement of permanence. You use the service for three months and you are free to leave if you so choose. Also, if you are going to be gone for a month or so, you can stop the service and have it start again when you return. This is all great news. Also, they offer customer service
ROTA
Equestrian Parade 11:00, Friday, 28 February Departing from the Market's Terrace (Zoilo Ruiz Mateos Street), the parade will march through the town center. Orgaized by La Posada, Horseman's Association Cadiz Performance Carnival 19:00, Friday 27 February Ticket: 18 €. Alcalde Felipe Benítez Theater’s ticket office: from Monday to Friday: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and two hours before the show IV Andalucian Festival For the 4th consecutive year, the Cultural Association Jentos & Jentas + the Club de los Sin Toldo celebrate the Day of Andalucia in style starting at 13:00 tomorrow.
and personalized installations. For more information, stop by Gartel at Higuerta, 59 right off Plaza Costilla in downtown Rota or call them at 956 840400. They do speak English.
sages. Their clinic is located at Avenida San Fernando, 51, Rota, right across from Paco’s Travel. Red Lion – English Pub-Sports Bar This beautiful new pub opens tomorrow. The décor is like a classic English pub; very warm and inviting. It is really something to see. It is also a sports bar so there are several big TVs. They have a big variety of beers and offer hot and cold snacks.The Red Lion is located at Avenida de Sevilla, 15, near the intersection with
Podiatry Clinic and Physiotherapy & Osteopathy María Gallego and Diego Fernández care about your health. María takes care of feet, ankles and the lower leg while Diego treats the rest of the body. He treats things such as sports related injuries, psychomotor problems, back problems, treatments to improve circulation, early attention for babies, and stroke related problems. Diego also does relaxing mas-
There will be performances of local carnival groups, live flamenco and tapas and wine. At 14:00 the participating bars will serve typical dishes. This festival hopes to promote products from Rota and Andalucía. All of this action takes place near the intersection of Avenida San Fernando and Avenida de Sevilla. Concert by Mardi Gras Band at Meteoro Club on Thursday 6th of March. Calle Higuereta 57 Entrance Free. Tour The Bay By Sail Boat This 2 hour trip leaves at midday and sunset Price is 15€ per person with a minimum of 4 persons and a maximum of 5 Information and reservations, Tourism Office, tel 956 846345 organized by Diverta Sail Guided tours of the Luna castle Saturdays and Sundays at 13:00 and 19:00,
Avenida San Fernando. Dulce Sol – The Tan Dulce Sol is a home based tanning business on base. Dulce Sol applies a custom layer of DHA to create a tanned look to the outermost layers of the skin. DHA is a compound made primarily from sugar and is explained in detail in this video. http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=qP22ODuCip4 This video is also accessible from the Dulce Sol Facebook page. Since DHA takes a few hours (4-8) to develop and the solution is applied by hand, it also contains a bronzer to best create an even coating for the client’s specific requirements. Dulce Sol uses only solutions and lotions that are paraben free, gluten free, nut and allergen free as well as 100% Vegan. If you are interested in getting the opinion of others who have tried Dulce Sol, phone numbers and emails can be provided. For more information and appointments, call 628 623374. Anything you want us to pass along? Let us hear from you about your favorite places or coming events.We do like hearing from you! Send an e-mail to Karen@ coastline.e.telefonica.net or give a call to 607-564132. Support your paper by supporting the advertisers.
prior reservation needed (call 956 84 63 45 or email turismo@aytorota.es) Flea Market Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Central Market. To get a table, you must sign up previously in the bar in the Central Market.
PUERTO DE SANTA MARIA
I Ruta of Erotic Tapas Last days! Until Friday, 28 February Do you like to enjoy, sensual tapas, suggestive menus, luxiously decadent cakes and explosive cocktails ? What are you waiting for !! 30 establishments are on the route in El Puerto. CarnIval in El Puerto de Santa Maria Starts Sumday, 2 March and ends at midnight on Sunday, 9 March Soon the full program will be published
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA
Jerez's Flamenco Festival Teatro Villamarta until March 8th Flea Market on Sundays at Alameda Vieja s/n from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Archaeological Museum Plaza del Mercado,W s/n. C.P. 11.408 956 14 95 60 museoarq@aytojerez.es