At long last Utrera’s natural resources, sisters Fernanda and Bernarda
Jiménez Peña (1923 and 1927 respectively) have received
the public recognition so many of us wanted for them. After several years
of planning and fund-raising, Fernanda de Utrera, empress of the soleá,
and her sister Bernarda, equally loved by flamenco fans for her festive
cante and original style, have their permanent place of honor in the Plaza
Ximénez Sandoval in front of Utrera’s central market.
Bernarda de Utrera
At eight o’clock in the evening the plaza was filled with those
familiar and much-loved voices without which flamenco just wouldn’t
be the same, while hundreds flocked to the scene to witness the historic
unveiling. In addition to Utrera’s mayor, Francisco Jiménez
Morales, the Duquesa de Alba and members of the family of the sisters
including Bernarda herself, performers such as Enrique Morente, Fosforito,
Gracia Montes, Juana la del Revuelo and Martín Revuelo, Miguel
Funi, Pepa de Benito, Paco del Gastor, Marifé de Triana, and later
on, Estrella Morente and María Jiménez among others, joined
in the moving tribute. Curro de Utrera, head of the Peña Curro
de Utrera which organized the event, appeared proud and contented and
there was no shortage of tears as we all remembered the queen of soleá
who was unable to be present on this historic occasion due to her delicate
health.
La Duquesa de Alba, Funy, Bernarda, el Alcalde de Utrera, Enrique
Morente, Paco del Gastor
A representative of the Junta de Andalucía spoke of “a world
not always easy for women to function in”, and Jerónimo Roldán,
representing the Federación de Entidades Flamencas de Sevilla,
recalled Antonio Mairena’s words: “the day will come when
they’ll erect monuments to flamenco artists in their place of birth”.
The mayor praised the initiative of the peña Curro de Utrera, a
non-gypsy singer, pointing out that gypsies and non-gypsies have always
lived harmoniously in Utrera.
Pepa de Benito con Pepa de Utrera
La Duquesa de Alba con Bernarda de Utrera
Critic Manuel Martín Martín read a presentation with inspiring
lines such as these: “immortals of the art of flamenco”, “faithful
to the tradition”, “a high-level type of flamenco and clear
example of generous hearts”, “unique and irreplaceable”,
“a testimony to the value of honesty”. He also took advantage
of the occasion to condemn “those fraudulent individuals who do
not respect the art these days”.
After the inauguration there was a cante recital in front of the town
hall by singer Rafael de Utrera, followed by a gala dinner and obligatory
fiesta with the participation of all the stars.
