Habanera Songs
The origins of the habanera songs in Torrevieja
date from the 18th century, with the arrival from Genoa and Naples of
families with a deep singing tradition, who then would travel by sea arriving
sometimes at the Havana port, where they would exchange catchy tunes that
they would later on bring to Torrevieja on their return.
The habaneras are also very closely related to the salt, since these melodies
were brought from Havana by the sailors who used to take the salt to Cuba
then returning with tobacco and sugar cane.
In 1955 there was the 1st national contest, organized by a group of people
who wanted to create an event in which music and choral singing were the
link to join different nations together. Later on the polyphony was introduced
in the contest, which reached the international category in 1990. Since
1989, the contest is organized by an institution whose members work hard
all year round to make every edition better than the one before.
Thanks to this international contest, all five continents can sing along
to the message of friendship sent from Torrevieja to the whole world,
the habanera songs.
One of the most characteristic meetings takes place during the month of
July, when groups of friends get together on the beach of El Cura to sing
the habaneras while they share a light meal.
In 1995 took place the first national contest with the participation of
children and youngsters, which is now celebrated in March.
