Guitarvera, a popular culture encounter

As it happens with any human phenomenom, the first steps to celebrating these encounters were a test. Facing the overwhelming dominance of modern music, generally invaded and dominated by foreign airs, it was thought important to highlight traditional music. This is the reason why members of the local groups, “El Madroñal” and “El Arroyo Los Cagaos”, supported by the city Council, got together to organise a meeting with the Region´s groups which, as in the majority of the spanish rural areas, had very little possibilities of performing. But in this idea they were joined other collective and people ready to collaborate.

The village of Villanueva de la Vera, film created for the Guitarvera dedicated to traditional arquichecture

This way, the first year project was not only a musical immersion but, to make the meeting more attractive, was completed with an exhibition of tools belonging to old trades, activities and customs already forgotten or very little known. Ultimately, in an approach to our grandparents´world.

Gutiarvera 2002

This show consisted basically, first, in a closed exhibition of farming tools and domestic utensils in the hall which the Tourism municipal office has made available for these purposes and, also, in the exhibition on Sunday, in the covered arches of the square, of some materials of higher magnitude, where also were present several artisans.

The second core consisted in a historical and musical guided tour, accompanied by the traditional music group, through the village streets. This event has been organised from the start by Javier González Jerónimo, history graduate, who has already published a book with the material gathered after so many editions of this walk. Later on, the performance, simultaneous and in different places, by the two local bands and three other from the outside, put the musical touch that first year.

After the first exhibition , which was widely accepted, the need arose to deepen and to give a bigger scope to the meetings. For this purpose, there were instituted conferences where the specialists share their knowledge of the rural world and its ways of living. In most of the cases, the look was turned to the past without forgetting a possible future projection. There was an intention to encourage contact with nature through a walk on the municiapl area’s paths on Saturday morning and, afterwards, during the afternoon, a public speech was pronounced fom the council´s building balcony. This way, during 2003, several activities were institutionalised which, along with the former ones, make up the core of Guitarvera.

Since they now have a set structure, meetings start some days before with the opening of an exhibit at the “Casa azul” (Blue house) on the chosen subject. Neighbors contribute with material related to it (objects, clothing, photos, books, tools, etc.). This exhibit will be open for, at least, fifteen days.

Guitarvera 2007

Events start on Friday with lectures in the municipal gym. (The house of culture, where they were celebrated on the first years, became too small). There, university specialists lecture on the various subects and there is a presentation of the mountain trek to be made on saturday morning.

Gutarvera 2003

This walk, of low-medium difficulty, is not an excuse to practice trekking, but an occasion to be together and a way to know the environment. Every year we count on the presence of an asset of great solvency with the presence of Ángel Amor, professor at the University of Salamanca.

Guitarvera 2004

All through the way, the are stops to listen to his dissertations on trees and plants and their use in the past. Perhaps remarkable is the fact that, midway, there is a stop to rest and, with the music of guitars and lutes, “jotas” are danced under the shadow of an big cork, ash or oak, or in a meadow, all depending on the chosen route. As a token of the growing interest for this activity, there is the fact that from the ninety participants in the first year there are more than three hundred in the last ones.

Guitarvera 2008

Saturday afternoon, since 2005 , is dedicated to activities for children : theater plays, gymkhanas, puppets, games or contests. This activity has been consolidated thanks to the participation of some teachers from Santa Ana School.

Gutiarvera 2005

Then, a street cry inaugurates the festive part of the meeting. Since 2009 there´s been a try to recuperate the leading role of percussion instruments, which they had during the years in which the “ calderá” (traditional percussion music made with old pans) was organized.

Guitarvera 2009

Sunday opens, first time in the morning, with a drum reveille followed by an instrumental round in which the group “El Madroñal” also places posters in the sites where the groups will perform. These are done in prepared spaces without scenarios and with good acoustics.

Guitarvera 2006

The same morning, the square transforms itself to help understanding the proposed subject that year, placing under the arches, illustrations, objects and utensils related to traditional life. There´s also a tavern which offers free wine if one buys a small clay jar used as a glass. The profits are used to finance the event.

Guitarvera 2004

From ten to twelve there is an historic and musical stroll through the village streets. A specialist, Javier González Jerónimo, history graduate, explains aspects related to the streets, their history or that year´s subject and the public is surprised with a small representation related to the subject which gives unity to the meeting.

Guitarvera 2004

Between explanations, the group “El Madroñal” sings traditional songs referring to what is being told by the guide and those participating in the walk sing along with the group. During the stroll there are also some surprises thanks to the collaboration of other people.

Guitarvera 2007

At one o´clock, in various streets and village corners, takes place the performance of more than a dozen groups arrived, most of them, from locations in La Vera and also from the Valle del Tiétar.

Song of Guitarvera

Traditional music resounds again, strongly, through the village streets. People stroll, sing and dance, as they wish, with those performing or they simply watch.

Jota of Alive, performed by Las Becarias

A fraternity meal will unite organisers and those who have participated in the various activities. During the afternoon, some activity is put together related to that year´s subject. Besides, the joy produced by the harmony of interests and the good ambiance favors the fusion of the different groups which, on Sunday afternoon, go through the village in spntaneous musical rounds just before the lottery that takles place to cover most of the expenses.

Musicians from Candeleda, Villanueva, Viandar, Talaveruela, Losar, Robledillo and Jarandilla.

The possibility of winning a guitar or a traditional “manton” (shawl) justifies, in some cases, the collaboration of neighbors and visitors.

However, the people of the village assumes with joy the purchase of tickets. They know that´s the only way of supporting these meetings where, at least partially, there is a satisfaction for the older people of their nostalgy for lost ways of life. On the other hand, they believe it´s a great way for young people and the new village neighbors (immigrants and “neo-rurals”) to approach uses, traditions and customs which they never knew but were a fundamental part of the place.