The term “theme park” was certainly not meant to offend, but the shoe seems to fit. No heavy industry around town, abundance of architectonic and cultural treasures beginning with the magnificent fortress and cathedral, the plazas of Arenal and Asunción among others, the many stately wineries that exhibit their charm and advanced age, and that perfume of Jerez wine that imbues every open space with its unmistakable aroma.
We’re in full Festival de Jerez mode, thirty years and still counting. The event has become one of the most noteworthy of this city’s cultural calendar, a city steeped in culture. From the time of Shakespeare, wine from Jerez has been an important commodity, the famous sherry, the name being a deformation of Jerez which in English is the name of a sweet wine much enjoyed by elderly British ladies. And if you don’t think so, go order a glass of sherry outside of Spain, and you’ll see how you’re served muscatel as the bartender assures you it’s no different from Jerez wine.
"During the Festival there are in the peñaIt's a wide-ranging program of free performances, tastings of typical dishes and other cultural activities that make Jerez de la Frontera intensely taste of art. jondowhich, after all, is the reason for this great cultural encounter."
Nowadays several tabancos in the city have been restored, preserving their historic atmosphere and offering flamenco performances like small tablaos. the estancos,. The word tabanco is believed to represent a place where controlled items are sold, the estanco, phonetically crossed with the word tabaco. The tabancos of Jerez offer a humble source of income, and a place for young people to try things out and tourists can see flamenco without complications.
(Hey look over there, it’s Paco Cepero!)
Another piece of the puzzle is the peña flamenca. Since the nineteen-fifties these semi-private groups have been excellent meeting-places for the sharing of cante, dance and guitar. During the Festival de Jerez the peñas have an extended program of free shows, food tasting of local specialties and other cultural activities that make Jerez de la Frontera live intensely the art of flamenco, which after all is the reason for this encounter.
