It is a cultural beacon that has a lot to offer.

The Pena Flamenca de Jaen, an institution both within and outside of the capital of Holy Kingdom, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. However, we need to go back to the 1960s to learn more about its roots. past. Ramon Porras takes it up in "Memoria de Rafael Romero", an article published in number 74 in the Candil magazine in 1991. He refers to an Easter proclamation being the first activity. Fernandez Cos, a fan suggested it. It was without doubt the first act of Pena Flamenca that was not yet formed. Rafael Romero and Enrique Morente, Manuel Cano, (oh, they also disappeared!). Proclamation for Holy Week, frontispiece. It was held in a now-demolished cinema in the capital. In my subsequent research, I realized that it was not a coincidence that the Pena Flamenca's first demonstration of jondo was held on the day of Jaen's most charming dawn. Ramon Porras writes that Rafael Romero was a Cantaor from this region and that he was selected.

Juan Antonio Ibanez was one of the founders who was present at the flamenco gatherings which took place in bars such as Monterrey, opposite La Manchega and the Gorrion. Pepe Solis, Rosario Lopez, Ramon Porras and Fausto Olivares were among the initial fans. Juan Antonio Ibanez, who was also a member the Chair of Flamencology, Andalusian Folk Studies and director of COPE Jaen, said that "this institution already had an organization even before it was legalized."

Since 1972, the pena has been in existence. Numerous singers, musicians, and dancers have used it. Fernanda and Bernarda de Utrera are among the many names who have made their mark here. Ibanez recalls that the latter was a guitarist who "meaningful" because he loved to play the Grandfather's march on the guitar.

Before moving to number 11 Maestra Street, headquarters of Pena Flamenca de Jaen were located in different places. These included Adriano's Bar, the old Casino Primitivo (Palacio Condestable Lucas de Iranzo), and a spot in the arcades at Martinez Molina street. Tomas Ortiz listed him as the president from 1989 to 1995. Through Angel Garcia Cruz's mediation, this man was able to enter the rock along with Rafael Valera. Pepe Cruz, then the president at that time, was also a friend. They became partners and directors simultaneously.

The rock began a variety of activities in its desire to promote flamenco. Some of these are still being held today, including the Flamenco Studies Week, and the 'Pepe Polluelas Festival. This theatre is connected to San Lucas' fair and Darymelia Theatre. Its current name was adopted 31 years ago by Alfonso Sanchez Herrera (the mayor at the time), since it used to be called 'Flamenco Meetings' and 'Flamenco Nights. The Alameda.

The Candil magazine with its 166 digital issues, which was first published in 1978, is not to be forgotten. The agreement with Jaen Provincial Council allows you to access this flamenco encyclopedia at the touch of a button. It is a publication that Alfonso Ibanez, the current president, considers to be of "incalculable worth" as it also tracks the evolution of Jaen society.

Rafael Valera was one the founders and directors of Candil magazine. He also served as president of the rock from 2003 to 2018. People who knew him well remember his kindness and passion for flamenco. He was also the founder of Candil magazine and its director until his death. He added the section "Memoria Flamenca" in recent years. This is where he reviewed his interviews at Pena Flamenca de Jaen over the years.

Today's supporters club is the result of many years of work by the various boards of directors. Alfonso Ibanez, who has been the chair of the current board since 2018, was re-elected in June for two more years. The 16-member board of directors includes eight women. "I've tried to keep the legacy that I was given by my predecessors, making changes such as adding women. They were previously referred to as 'the women of'. Now they are the ones associated with the directive and are 50%.

Veronica Perez, the granddaughter of Canalejas, holds a vocal spot. According to her, the rock was always open to women. However, the rock's progress has been at the same pace as the rest of the entities. The role of women in the rock's beginnings was not the same as it is now. However, it is not that the rock has been particularly sexist in this sense. I believe that the rock understood that women played a role, and that we now have another. She clarifies that it is a reflection on society.

"The only way I've seen the rock is through my father, Manuel Perez Mesa (also known as Manolo Canalejas), but I've discovered that there are many critics and women with very valuable knowledge. Perez adds that there is Charo Lopez, a cantaora, who was one of the most prominent heads of her time and continues to be a reference, despite the fact she passed away many years ago.

The foundation for rock strength is the friendship formed between the partners. This is what the people who consulted on this report agreed upon. Veronica Perez emphasizes "the brotherhood" as well as the "feelings of family", pointing out that the rock meetings were and still are family celebrations. This is why she has a deep love and respect for the institution from her childhood, when she used to play in the old casino with other children.

One of the most memorable memories that slipped into the conversation is the nights when the party continued and the children fell asleep on the rattan chairs they set up as beds. Veronica recalls that they covered us in women's jackets and that Pepe 'Polluelas 'approached us and sang softly to us, with that beautiful, melodious, soft voice that he had.

While the Pena Flamenca de Jaen celebrates its 50th anniversary, it still has a lot to do. It is a cultural reference at the Jaen-Andalusian level. Alfonso Ibanez emphasizes that it is highly valued in Spain and abroad.

The future of rock lies in its legacy and in creating new projects to further strengthen this entity in Jaen society. The president supports this idea and proposes that a flamenco school be established at the venue. Also, that the festival of young flamenco guitarists, which was the birthplace of many great guitarists, is restored.

Fernando Quinones had already written it: "When there is no more, when banks and Americans have all the Solea, when everything is gone, nobody will buy this Pena Flamenca de Jaen. Now and here, we share it, and we have it. We leave it here between the eternal and loquacious light of the guitar, and the voices.