Colourful contest in ‘charming’ Mojacar

TROUBADOURS, travelling musicians, street entertainers; the third annual, world “tuna,” competition was held in Mojacar.

Twenty, groups, from Malaga, Valencia, Gran Canaria, Barcelona, other Spanish towns, and Portugal, participated in the contest.

The groups that didn’t make it to the final took part in a colourful, “pasacalles,” street show.

The tunas serenaded judges and crowds in Mojacar Pueblo’s Plaza Nueva.

The organisers of Mojacar’s Moors and Christians processions acted as guides for the troubadours, carrying name plaques and accompanying them around town. The panel of judges included Spanish and English people from Mojacar and nearby towns.

Alan and Barbara Bramble, both aged 70 of Mojacar Playa said that they had enjoyed the music, and were happy to have helped.

Alan, the president of the Mojacar bowling club (formerly La Mata), said that the Mojacar Mayor Rosa Maria Cano was very supportive of his club.

He added that she was an “unusually honourable politician.” Another judge, Mayo Abellan whose mother runs the Mojacar Pueblo chemist shop, said that she had been the leader of her tuna at the University of Granada.

She said that traditionally, tunas were groups of male students who serenaded their girlfriends, but that all-female tunas also exist.

Each tuna has a cape similar to that of a bull-fighter, with different coloured ribbons attached.

She said that the girls embroidered the ribbons and gave them to the boys, so the more popular groups had more ribbons.

She said that the music was important, but so was the way the tunas interacted and entertained the crowd.

Tradition dictates that first-year tuna members wear pyjamas or other funny costumes.

The organisers of the competition, the Science tuna from Granada University said that they thought Mojacar was the perfect location for the event.

The great final was held in the artisans centre at the foot of Mojacar Pueblo in the evening, after the street show.

By Susan Leach