Cassà de la Selva is full of life and music. Since the early hours of the morning the streets have been filled with people you see I of tools that bring to life tradition who, despite the years, does not want to remain silent. The Cantut Festival, which this year celebrates the eighth editionis once again a great event for lovers of culture popular, a space where the music of the oral tradition, popular songs and shared stories are the true protagonists.
This is a festival where the Rosalie singing hymns in his style. Tradition is not a closed space, but a living and constant element evolution. This is why the Cantut unites the past and the present seek a better future, keeping popular music alive across generations, with a very modern which makes them resonate today. One of the project managers, Albert Massipexplains that what they do is “give value to all this cultural heritage”. “Our goal is for people to sing again, like our grandparents did, and for the stories of our relatives to never be lost,” Massip says.
The event that opened this Saturday’s program was the presentation of the book ‘The first havaneras of Cataloniaby the authors Anna Costal, Joaquim Rabaseda and Joan Gay. The work presents Havana as an urban and contemporary phenomenon, framed in the Catalan culture of the romantic era and participating in the new mechanisms of creation, edition and distribution of the 19th century entertainment society. Then it was the turn of the book presentationThe Canoner of Fig trees‘, by the author Jordi Giordano and which saw the participation of the group Mini-Stress, who offered a small taste of some of those songs.
Reflections on the letters
Likewise, The spinning wheel the patio of Can Trinxeria filled one speech-concert which explored how the songs came to the present day, who sang them, and in what environments and what spaces women and men occupied, among other issues. ”We come to put our little finger in the wound”, explained the musical trio as they began the “concert entitled “Primfila i se en va”. Those who have weak voices due to last night’s dinner, don’t worry, they can also sing” , they added laughing.
Him concert it was a mixture of emotions, especially because after singing songs with a joyful rhythm that take us back to childhood, the trio of artists they did reflect the audience on some lyrics that we all sang without thinking about it anymore. “The song El gallo i la gallina explains abuse,” they underlined. “What does it mean that it’s raining and sunny? Maybe it means that they’re burning the witches in the nearby village and that the witches are combing their hair to hide it, and that’s why they’re mourning?”, they also theorized.
THE roomfilled to the brim with people of all ages, it’s catching on Trust singing as the concert went on. However, one of the most inspiring moments of the event was when they sang “La Caterineta”. A song that tells the story of a drama in which a father kills his daughter with a truncheon because her mother let her go to the square to dance the sardanas. “It’s very cool that it’s a children’s song, but that’s exactly why we do it,” they pointed out. However, they not only sang dramas, but also told stories empowering gifts.
A voice and a story
The concert ended with a key reflection: “What should we do with these songs?”. “Our way of starting melons is to sing them whole and comment on them, in the end they are part of the our culture“, they explained. “We have to know where we come from in order to know where we have to go,” they said. “I didn’t know there were songs with lyrics so difficult“, said one of the concert participants, Maxi Araya. “It was cute and funny and sad at the same time,” his friend added Ivan Garcia.
One of the conclusions that is quickly reached is that a Houseduring the days that this celebration lasts – tomorrow will be the last day -, one could say that the silence today and absolute. There is always a singing voice and one history which transmits to feeling.
How does the Cantut Festival collaborate with local artists and performers to enhance the celebration of cultural heritage?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Albert Massip, Project Manager of the Cantut Festival
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Albert! Thank you for joining us today. The Cantut Festival has become a vibrant celebration of culture and tradition. This year marks its eighth edition. What has been the driving force behind its success?
Albert Massip: Good morning! Thank you for having me. The Cantut Festival thrives on the community’s passion for preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage. People from all walks of life come together to share music, stories, and the joy of singing, just like our grandparents did. Our commitment to evolving these traditions while keeping them relevant for younger generations is what keeps this festival alive.
Time.news Editor: That’s fantastic! You mention evolution in tradition. Could you elaborate on how the festival blends the past and present?
Albert Massip: Absolutely! Tradition is often viewed as something static, but we see it as a living entity. At the Cantut Festival, we spotlight oral traditions and popular songs, presenting them in modern contexts that resonate with today’s audience. For instance, we host book presentations on historical music, which create a dialogue between the past and the present. By doing so, we not only honor our roots but also encourage creativity and modern expressions of these cultural forms.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of creativity, the presentation of the book The First Havaneras of Catalonia sounds intriguing. How does this fit into the festival’s theme?
Albert Massip: The book presentation is integral as it explores the cultural phenomenon of havaneras within the romantic era of Catalonia. By understanding the historical context in which these songs were created, we can appreciate their evolution and relevance today. It’s about ensuring that the stories behind these songs don’t fade away, and that’s exactly what our festival aims to do—revive and recontextualize our cultural narratives.
Time.news Editor: Besides book presentations, I understand that music is a significant part of the festival. Can you describe the emotional impact these performances have on the audience?
Albert Massip: The performances create a unique atmosphere where nostalgia and reflection blend seamlessly. For example, the concert titled “Primfila i se en va” not only entertains but encourages the audience to engage critically with the lyrics they might have sung thoughtlessly in their childhood. It’s about rediscovering the meaning behind the music and encouraging conversations about social issues embedded in these traditional songs.
Time.news Editor: That sounds powerful. You mentioned that the audience spans all ages. How important is this intergenerational aspect to the festival?
Albert Massip: The intergenerational aspect of the Cantut Festival is vital! It fosters a sense of community, where older generations pass down stories and songs to younger ones. This interaction ensures that cultural heritage is not only preserved but also reinterpreted and redefined by each generation. We want our young attendees to engage with their cultural roots, so they feel a part of this living tradition.
Time.news Editor: what do you hope attendees take away from this year’s Cantut Festival?
Albert Massip: I hope that attendees leave with a sense of pride in their cultural heritage and a deeper understanding of the songs and stories that shape our community. Our goal is for people to feel inspired to sing again, share their own stories, and recognize the value of our collective history. If we achieve that, then we can ensure that this beautiful tradition continues to thrive for generations to come.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much, Albert! Your passion for the Cantut Festival and its cultural importance is truly inspiring. I’m looking forward to seeing how the festival continues to evolve and impact the community.
Albert Massip: Thank you for your interest! It’s a pleasure to share our journey, and we hope to see everyone at the festival—singing, sharing, and celebrating together.