Nicola Grove’s love affair with all things Spanish started in childhood when she read Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra, and was entranced by its visions of the Moorish palaces of Andalucia. Sad to say, the stories were invented – but their mysterious atmosphere is embodied in the wonderful poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca ((1898-1936).
Nicola went on to learn Spanish, take flamenco classes, and -in 2012- walk the 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago. Now she is bringing the spirit of Andalucia to the Frome Festival with an event that celebrates the work of Lorca in dance, poetry and storytelling.
Spain’s best known poet, Lorca lived in Granada, the home of the Alhambra palace. He championed the art of flamenco, which he described as the hidden life of the province, with “gypsies, horses, archangels, Jewish and Roman breezes, rivers and crimes”.
Unashamedly gay in a deeply conservative and homophobic society, he was a passionate social activist, leading to his murder by Nationalists at the start of the Spanish civil war. His body has never been found, and the search for his remains still provokes controversy.
For this evening, members of Frome’s Spanish conversation class are teaming up with Amanda Frescura’s ever popular dance company, storytellers Kevin and Vicki Ross along with Nicola herself, and poets who have translated and adapted the originals in stunning new versions. Hasta entonces!
Alhambra is on Tuesday July 11th 7.30 Trinity Church Hall. Tickets and further details https://fromefestival.co.uk/event/?eventid=869
