What begins well, ends well. Since he welcomed us in the courtyard of the Pemartín Palace, home to the Andalusian Documentation Center of the Flamenco, a heritage work from the 15th century – although it underwent a major restructuring in the 18th century that made it what it is today – that welcomes us to the Santiago neighborhood, we knew that we were going to experience an afternoon with pellizco, because in this space it is carefully kept, especially by technicians such as Ana Tenorio, the most important audio, biographical, bibliographical, and audiovisual archive of our culture available to the public, and that already fills us with excitement. This institution, dependent on the Andalusian Regional Government, will always need more support from the regional institution, more investment, and greater commitment.
There he summoned us Kamira, Federation of Roma Women's Associations, a community that has been operating since 1999 and is currently chaired by the lawyer carmen santiagoThe mayor of Jerez, María José Pelayo (PP), welcomed and highlighted the importance of this type of event, especially in 2025, which marks the 600th anniversary of the arrival of the Roma people to the peninsula.The Roma woman has been doubly victimized And now we have to realize that reality and work to ensure that it never happens again," the councilor declared.
The colleague (by profession) and friend Joaquin Lopez Bustamante, who has been living in Jerez for years and is one of the people who has contributed most in recent years to the knowledge and dissemination of the history of the gypsies, with his educational and social contribution, introduced the day. His memory remains Manifesto of Flamenco which he gave on November 16 in Jerez and where he demonstrated his ability to transmit values in this regard.
"La Paquera as a study center, a resident of Cerro Fuerte in the San Miguel neighborhood who, as a child, a child prodigy, had the courage to ask the then mayor, Álvaro Domecq, for an apartment so her family could live in better conditions."
López Bustamante, from RNE and member of the organization of this meeting entitled Gypsy Women in Cultural Heritage Flamenco, He presented to Manuel Naranjo Loreto, secretary of the Chair of FlamencoJerez logy, which addressed the role of Gypsy women in the flamenco, with special contributions from Jerez names, describing the profile of many of them, their personal circumstances (many widows, with many children and hardships, dedicating themselves to cante or to the dance while in the morning they sold lemons, parsley or garlic from a basket in the city center). Manuel said, just to point out interesting facts, that most women could not be guitarists because at that time – late 19th or early 20th century – it was the sonanta players who distributed the fees after the performances, and for the sake of image, women could not do that. Manuel recovered from oblivion names like María Bala or Antonia María Vega and contributed photos of La Macarrona or her aunt La Chiva… He spoke of the hypersexualization of the gypsy or flamenco woman in the image projected by cinema or the image in the different stages of the 20th century.
Next, it was my turn to talk about a role model in this regard: a woman, a gypsy, and ahead of her time. La Paquera as a study center, a neighbor of Cerro Fuerte in the neighborhood of San Miguel who, as a child, a child prodigy, had the courage to ask the then mayor, Alvaro Domecq, an apartment so his family could live in better conditions. He gave it to him in the newly built neighborhood of La Asunción, where his brother Antonio still lives. Francisca Mendez Garrido I told how I recorded in Madrid with Antonio Gallardo, through miming because she couldn't read or memorize the lyrics. Also when Lola called her home to be the center of attention, without the singer knowing the chalet was full of celebrities, as well as her discography, shows, and trip to Japan. "So much to discover yet," I said of one of the greatest singers in history.
Finally, carmen santiago He told us the magical and curious story of the Manila shawl, its origin in China and its ability to stay alive, in part, thanks to countries like Spain, Mexico... A cultural exchange between East and West for centuries, from the Manila trade route when colonialist Spain dominated the Philippines, going from being a decorative element for stately homes to an essential atavistic garment in flamenco and gypsy culture, for "women with power", not empowered ones.
Angelita Gomez He let himself be carried away by the weight of the Lebrija guitar Peter Maria Peña, who accompanied the movements of the doyenne of Jerez dance in the evening air with a few minutes of true elegance and mastery. Maria Vargas, illustrious of the cante A gypsy, he joined the party with bulerías so Angelita could once again delight us with her octogenarian dolls. How does the commentator manage to put into words what he felt? Chills. I lived it From inside and that has added value. ♦
