'My Grandfather' will no longer close the habanera singing in Calella de Palafrugell: "It's time to make way for a new repertoire."

BarcelonaThis year's habanera singing in Calella de Palafrugell will not end with My grandfather For the first time in 48 editions, after the controversy over the documentary Walls of silence, which links its composer, Josep Lluís Ortega Monasterio, to the sexual exploitation of minors. "We said we would reflect on whether it needed to be renewed, and we believe it's time," said the mayor of Palafrugell, Laura Millán, who added that "it's time to make way for a new repertoire." The song—which, with the exception of the first decade, has always closed the event—will be replaced by three classic habanera songs, Inland sailor, The beautiful Lola and The seagull. According to Millán, the selection pays "tribute to composers linked to the municipality."

In response to the Palafrugell City Council's decision, the Ortega-Monasterio family issued a statement expressing their "concern" at what they consider a "great injustice." "We are deeply concerned that a public institution violates fundamental rights such as freedom and the presumption of innocence, without waiting for a court ruling," the family stated, and has filed a lawsuit against those responsible for the documentary. Walls of silence for "their manipulations and falsehoods." In the statement, they also consider that a Catalan anthem is being "censored" and regret that the City Council "has not respected the existence of an ongoing judicial procedure."

Neus Mar, one of the few female solo voices in this genre and spokesperson for the habanera singing commission, will perform at the cantada, which will be held on July 5th. She will be accompanied by the choir Les Joves Veus del Mar, made up of her students from the Vedruna School in Palafrugell. They will offer a repertoire of tavern singing. "The generational change of habaneras is a concern, and we believe that their participation in the cantada spurs the future," Mar stated. Also performing will be the group Peix Fregit; Port Bo, founded in 1966 and promoter of habanera singing; and Terra Endins, which combines classical repertoire with waltzes and sardanas.

Sung habaneras

The singing of habaneras dates back to 1966. Then, that first meeting of singers was held in the Can Batlle tavern when Francesc Alsius, Frederic Martí and Joan Pericot met at the presentation of the book Calella de Palafrugell and the habaneras, the second compilation of the genre published in Catalonia. The success of the event encouraged the organizers to repeat it the following year, with a more formal performance on Calau Beach.

Complementary programming

From half past twelve in the morning, the public will be able to continue enjoying the habaneras with several concerts spread across Calella venues: Terra Adentro at Margarita Calella, Amigos de la Torre at La Torre, Pescado Frito at Las Vueltas de Calella by Es Portal, Nieves Mar at Xabec and Port Bo at Taverna Ca La Raquel. In addition, on Friday 4th July at seven in the evening there will be a free pre-concert in the church of Calella, with the presentation ofThe legacy of Camil Ysern, with Carles Coll Bardés (cello), Carles Coll Costa (piano), and Clara Valero (soprano). And on Sunday, July 6, at 9:30 p.m., the Plaça del Port Bo will host a concert by Pau Vallvé, which will close out the Ítaca 2025 Festival.