The Sephardic Romancero: Tradition and Creativity A talk with musical examples by Samuel G. Armistead

The Sephardim, exiled from Spain in 1492, took with them to their new homelands the historically important poetic tradition of the Romancero, which had its origins in Medieval Spanish epic poetry. Academic specialists in Pan-Hispanic literature have tended to stress the antiquarian features of the Sephardic Romancero, viewing these songs as fascinating ancient remnants. However, for all its traditionality, the enduring practice of oral popular poetry, which included the composition of new ballads in the lands in which the Sephardim settled, is also a testament to the dynamic creativity of Sephardic culture.

Samuel G. Armistead is Distinguished Professor of Spanish at UC Davis and has dedicated his life to the study of Hispanic traditional poetry. He is currently working to complete a sixteen-volume study of the folk literature of the Sephardic Jews. Co – sponsored by 25th Jewish Music Festival.

Fuente: Bureau of Jewish Education