ANDALUCIA, GYPSIES AND FLAMENCO IN SPAIN

In southern Spain, the Provinces of Sevilla, Málaga, Almeria, Cadiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva and Jaen constitute the
Andalucia region with a population of about 7 million.
Andalucians are not ethnically, but culturally distinct.
Caused by rural poverty, Andalucia lost some of its population to big cities and other European countries.

A relatively high number of the population are Andalucian Gypsies; their ancestry having migrated from India, way back in the 15th century. A good number of them settled in Triana, by the Guadalquivir river at Sevilla, which has made it an important Flamenco center today. Others went to Jerez de la Frontera
in the Cadiz province (where Sherry wine originated and is produced today) and also, some settled in Granada, where the famous "Gypsy Caves" are located in the "Sacromonte" section of the city, some turned into Tablaos where gypsy artists perform
the different Flamenco styles (palos) in song, dance, and guitar. Andalucia is unquestionably the cradle of Flamenco, mainly nourished by the alleged originators - the Andalucian gypsies. These palos are subdivided into three categories or schools called cante chico, intermedio and hondo.- Siguirillas, fandangos soleares, saetas etc. are the here called categories.
This genre is performed by a singer accompanied by one or more guitars and palmas - a synchronized, some times complex hand clapping.

During the war of reconquest, Granada was the last Andalucian city under muslim rule, to fall to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel in 1492, and Flamenco was influenced by the mixing of Arabic, Jewish, Christian and Gypsy musical
characteristics.

From the second half of the 19th century until 1936, when the Spanish Civil War broke out, Flamenco flourished being per-
formed in "cafes cantantes" (singing cafes); establishments that
during that time spread all over Spain. The war brought that Fla-
menco golden era to an abrupt end.

After the war, Franco promoted Flamenco as a unifying Spanish
music, and Tablaos substituted the cafe cantantes.
Tablao is a stage combined with bar service, where you can have a
glass of wine or a cocktail while watching excellent gypsy artists perform. Sevilla has some of the best, and in Madrid is maybe the most famous Tablao in the world: "El Corral de la Moreria"

In the 1970's Flamenco experienced an intense creative renewal,
with the debut of exceptional artists such as Jose Monge - better
known as Camaron de la Isla. Jazz, rock and blues elements were integrated into what was called nuevo flamenco.

Today, Flamenco's popularity keeps increasing with new young stars such as Paco de Lucia, Estrellita Morente and Ojos de Brujo,
interpreting the new styles. But the true aficionado still relishes the original Flamenco you see and listen at the good Tablaos.

TORREMOLINOS, COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN

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If you are a fan of James A. Michener and read his novel "The Drifters", you may recall Britta Bjørndahl, the young girl escaping the gloom and darkness of her original northern Norway; and in her quest for the bright sunny places she dreams about, finds herself on the "Costa del Sol' in southern Spain, specifically in Torremolinos in the early 1970’s.
Even then. Torremolinos was a Scandinavian - among other European Countries - tourist destination, where girls like Britta hoped to land a job, and stay there, enjoying the sunny, bright days and beaches on the coast of the blue Mediterranean.
Today, if anything, tourism has increased. It is a noisy, fast paced 24 hours a day resort area, with about 6 miles of sandy beaches and a variety of water sports. Packed with restaurants and bars, Torremolinos is a very lively place. specially in high season; with a very high voltage nightlife. A good placee to start the evening is one of the bars in :“Calle San Miguel", or in one of the restaurants on the promenade.
The menus, often in different languages offer good dishes such as fish and chips. steak and pasta. However some excellent Spanish seafood restaurants can be found in the fisherman's district of La Carihuela, which has been relatively undisturbed and has retained its Andalucian coastal charm.
There is a noticiable large gay community, centered on La Nogalera, where the clubs vary from the main stream to drag bars. Exotic shows are a feature here, and are popular\with both, the gay and straight visitor.
Playamar and Bajondillo are the two largest and most popular beaches, with all kinds of water sports. If tired, take a break at any of many bars and cafes along the promenade.- An excursion worth taking, includes a visit to "El Ranchito" where you'll see a wonderfully performed, skillful equestrian ballet, choreograph to music; with beautiful horses, and their riders.
At only 16 mile east of Torremolinos, Malaga with its 500,000 habitans is
the second largest city in Andalucia. It’s als capital of the province, and
famous for its raisins and excellent wines. It also happens to be the hometown of actor Antonio Banderas.
Malagas‘ Cathedral at the Plaza de La Catedral, is one of the outstanding buildings in the city. - The construction started in 1528, but stopped construction for lack of money. Even at this time, the southern tower of the church is not yet completed, and therefore, in Spanish is called “La Manquita.“ ( Manquita being an endearing nick-name for a female with a missing hand).
One, if not the most, famous sons of the city is Pablo Picasso. His House at the Plaza de La Merced 15., is home of the Picasso Fundation. A more famous and larger Picasso Museum is at the Palacio de Buenavista at Calle San Agustin. A visit to Malagas most famous painter’s Museun should be in your “Things to do in Malaga“ list.
Many very pleasant and interestig towns and places n the Costa del Sol, are accessible from this well located and interesting city.