ARCHIVED - 25th January XXXVII Fiesta de las Cuadrillas de Barranda, Caravaca de la Cruz

The largest gathering of traditional Murcian folk groups in the region

Over the weekend of the 24th and 25th January the village of Barranda, located in the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz in the north-west of the Murcia region, celebrates the 37th edition of its annual Festival de Cuadrillas, bringing together thousands of people to enjoy the traditional music of the cuadrillas, music which has been passed down verbally for generations.

In addition to the music and dancing, the market of countryside traditions celebrates not only the crafts and skills passed down from one generation to another, but also the gastronomic traditions of Murcia, with workshops, crafts, demonstrations and plenty to eat.

The date of the fiestas co-incide with the fiesta de la Candelaria, the patron saint of Barranda, and was given the status of “National Tourist Interest” in January of 2011.  

Ethnic instruments museum
In homage to this large encuentro, Barranda is also the home of the largest collection of ethnic instruments in Europe, the Carlos Blanco Fadol collection, the location of the museum selected because of this festival and its adherence to the traditional forms of music which constitute Murcia’s folk music.

It’s a fascinating museum to visit, with instruments from around the world, every single one of which has been played by Carlos himself, and is open on the day of the fiesta for visitors to discover and enjoy the diversity of world music. ( Click for map, Museum of ethnic instruments, Barranda)

Each year around 30,000 people make the journey to Barranda, which is only a small village at the best of times, so the celebrations spill over into the streets surrounding the village, filling the countryside with music, barbeques and people enjoying a day out. The music of the cuadrillas is infectious and upbeat, the singers “duelling “ with each other in battles of wit and improvised verse, many people joining in with the dancing or just enjoying the atmosphere.

The event lasts for two days, the Saturday comprising talks about the traditional folk music of Spain ( in Spanish)and performances of folk groups in the social centre of Barranda. The artisan market is open throughout the two day period.

Click for map, Barranda, Caravaca de la Cruz

The basic format is as follows;
Friday 23rd
Barranda Folk: 11pm Stolen notes perform in the Salón Social de Barranda, tickets 5 euros ( please note, space is limited)

Saturday 24th January
12.30 midday to 8pm Market of countryside traditions
11pm Barranda Folk: Hexacorde and Vanesa Muela,Sand Kepa Junkera with Sorginak in the Salón Social de Barranda. Tickets 10 euros.Sold in advance on www.instanticket.es
 

Sunday 25th January
At 10 am a musical mass is sung by the Hermandad de Ánimas Benditas de Caravaca
11am. Official reception of the Cuadrillas by the municipal authorities, and welcome speeches
12 Midday The 12 Cuadrillas spread out around the village and play. Crowds form around them, and after a while people will start to dance, joining in with the songs they know, creating a comfortable atmosphere as people listen to the music, move around from one group to another, have a bite to eat, go to the artisan market,  or wander off into the musical instruments museum.
2pm Lunch. The Rondallas and special invitees are treated to lunch whilst everybody else fends for themselves. There are places to buy food, although a lot of people take picnics, set up barbeques out of the backs of their cars, and of course the Spanish being Spanish bring trestle tables, flasks of wine and huge loaves of bread, making a real occasion out of it.
At 4.30pm what´s called the choque de cuadrillas takes place. This is really a battle of the Cuadrillas, an early version of "duelling". 2 cuadrillas meet face to face and duel, their singers throwing improvised verse back and forth in a battle of wit. Topics range from current affairs, local politics and domestic affairs, and if you can understand Spanish it’s a good way of gauging the mood of the nation, and very entertaining.
At 6pm there´s a dance in the salon social for anyone who wants to just come along and enjoy the music.

Mercado de oficios y tradiciones Campesinas
There is also an artesan market on during the day of the encuentro and the day before.
This artisan market seeks to display the best of the traditional crafts which sustained this region and has a range of handicrafts, with live demonstrations and a display of traditional equipment. There is also a tavern area set up, authentic Murcian food, including Migas and a workshop showing traditional distillation of plants.
Open on Saturday from 12.30 midday to 8pm and on Sunday from 10.30am to 9pm

Cuadrillas participating in this year’s event:
Animeros de Caravaca de la Cruz (Murcia), Cuadrilla de Aledo (Murcia), Cuadrilla de Patiño (Murcia), Ronda Algazara Candeleda (Ávila), Cuadrilla de la Cuesta de Gos (Murcia), Ronda de Motilleja (Albacete), Cuadrilla del Campo San Juan, El Sabinar y Calar de la Santa (Murcia), Cuadrilla de Huebras (Albacete), Cuadrilla de Brials (Valencia), Cuadrilla de Púrias (Murcia), Panda de Verdiales 1ª de Montes (Málaga), Ronda de los Llanos (Albacete) and the Aguilanderos de Barranda.