The saeta in Jerez has always had a prominent presence every Holy Week.especially in the seguiriyas style, thus moving away from the martinete or carcelera. Naturally, out of custom, certain spots became reference points for saeta singers and lovers of the saeta, because without prior announcement everyone anticipated that there, in that exact place, the sung prayer would sound at a certain time of night. Rafael Rivero Square as the Brotherhood of the Arrest, the Cerro Fuerte when he passed by Christ of the Expiration, the Bar La Canilla at dawn on Good Friday with Jesús Nazareno… It is true that time has passed and nothing is the same, without going into whether it is better or worse, but those who were there are no longer here due to the passage of time.
Far from falling into pessimism, peñaThe brotherhoods, with the collaboration and institutional commitment, have joined forces to promote the preservation of traditions and contribute a great deal to the Holy Week celebrations in Jerez, which is declared a National Tourist Interest Asset, and work has been underway for some years to have it considered as such at an international level.
To point out, the First Prize of the National Saeta Competition of the Peña Good People in its 47th edition it has gone to Pedro Garrido 'Niño de la Fragua'The second prize, valued at ten thousand euros, is a record and historic figure for a competition of this kind. The second prize goes to... John of Mairena1,300 euros, although the organization has announced its withdrawal from the prize, and the Young Award goes to Manuel Junquera, with five hundred euros. Pedro y Malena Soto (due to Juan's resignation), award winner and finalist, will sing saetas to the Brotherhood of the Jews of San Mateo On the night of Holy Tuesday, from the balcony of the St. Luke's SquareSalesian school, around 23:30 p.m. The rest of the finalists –Elu de Jerez, Tomás Rubichi, Juan Lara and other names like Aroa Cala, Bernardo Rubichi, Abraham El Zambo o Manuel de Cantarote– They will do the same for other brotherhoods during the week within the cycle Flamenco Saeta as it Passes By organized by the peña.
"The First Prize of the National Saeta Competition of the Peña The "Good People" award in its 47th edition has gone to Pedro Garrido 'Niño de la Fragua', valued at ten thousand euros, a record and historic figure in a competition of this type."
El Palace of San Dionisio, together with Cayetano del Pino and Peña The Kestrels, presented the cycle Saeta to the Mystery Procession, from the balcony of the palace itself in Plaza de la Asunción, full presidency of the Official Route. Names like María José Pérez, Rocío Tornero, Pedro Niño de la Fragua, Manuel de la Fragua, Malena Soto and Alfonso Mijita These are the participants. It should be noted that saetas will only be sung to the mystery floats, that is, holy images of Christ, during the brotherhood's procession time, so as not to cause a problem with the official schedules.
Similarly, peñaFlamenco dancers and their Federation have announced the details of the cycle To venerate you with arrowsThis event, now in its sixth year, began during the pandemic. It has been celebrated since Good Friday, carrying the prayer... flamenco even the outlying districts and autonomous local entities such as Estella del Marquéswhere he sang Ivan El Torran, or the Florida Boat, with Sergio Benítez on the afternoon of Good Friday. They will participate in different locations, including street performances, with Macarena de Jerez, Coral de los Reyes, Joaquín El Zambo, Malena Soto, Niño Fragua, Carmen Grilo, Manuel de Cantarote, Malena Soto, Alfonso MijitaThe Eggplant, The Little Chanquita…, among others.
Finally, I would add that the Peña The Buleria, in addition to being included in the previous cycle with the representation of Alfonso Mijita, who will sing to the Brotherhood of the Ivy In the early hours of Good Friday, together with Tomás Rubichi, he also announced that, as every year, the balcony of the La Plazuela building will be opened for the saetas (traditional religious songs) to be sung. The Almond tree y Manuel de la Forge To the Brotherhood of Christ of the Expiration. ♦
