Village life in Andalucia

We are approaching the season of autumn festivals, often celebrating aspects of harvest and food. Almachar’s “Ajo Blanco” refers to the white gazpacho soup made from ground almonds, bread, garlic and grapes. It is one of a multitude of examples of the way in which the moslem tradition remains ebedded in modern andalucian culture. Ajo Blanco is a fiesta of traditions. Almachar prides itself on its Flamenco traditions. There is dancing all day and singing all night. The song is the gypsy Cante, called cante Jondo or “Deep song”. It is Andalucians equivalent to “The Blues”

I suggest the family of the genius flamenco guitarist Paco Javier Jimeno get you in the mood. Here Paco is with his brother David Jimeno and his wife, the incomparable Ana Fargas. They top the bill at the 2009 Ajo Blanco