SPANISH CULTURE - A FIESTA OF BANDS
If ever there was a time to avoid writing about football then it must be now! I imagine everyone is exhausted by the World Cup, particulary the victorious Spanish – whose productivity today will probably be in minus figures!
Certainly, I have already had two appointments cancelled due, I suspect, to late night revelry. It is understandable, really, and if ever there was a country that needed a boost to its morale then it is Spain. For just a while, the gloom of the Spanish economy may be lifted and some momentum towards better times initiated…
Of course, the past few weeks have not just been about Spanish football. The country has, more or less, continued to function and this was well displayed in my village on Saturday night. Yet again, I was reassured that our move to Spain was justified and that our choice of location (La Drova in Valencia province) was inspired.
On Saturday night, my village (Barx) had a festival of bands – which to the British ear sounds like something from hell! However, it was far from that and turned out to be an enchanting evening with our village band playing one half of the concert and that from a neighbouring village the other half.
Naturally, you may be thinking that the bands amounted to a dozen or so people. This would not be surprising given that both villages are tiny, with our mountain village of Barx having a population of only around 1,200 people. However, that would be misreading the local enthusiasm (and gift) for music. Our village band alone amounts to some 55 highly skilled and talented players – which is nothing short of amazing!
Equally amazing, frankly, was the range and complexity of the music played. These are not ‘ompah’ bands – but sophisticated bands playing pieces that are sometimes deliberately chosen for their capacity to be challenging (in the good sense of the word!) for both the band concerned and their audience.
Needless to say, everything was free and the auditorium was outside, allowing the packed crowd to revell in the sultry air of the late evening. Of course, equally pleasant was the charming atmosphere, where people listened attentively but were free to wander off at will. Meanwhile, close to the front of the amphitheatre, groups of young childen were playing freely – although with sufficient respect for the bands not to cause any undue disturbance.
A lovely evening, a wonderful atmosphere and one that exemplifies Spanish village life at its best. To be a part of it is what living in Spain is all about. Indeed, for me, being able to revell in the reality of day to day Spanish culture is what makes my life here truly worthwhile…
CULTURE SPAIN – THE FIESTA SEASON IS UPON US!
