Chapter 7: Carnaval winners and losers

As the day progresses, Luis's group collect a growing crowd of young followers as they walk from bar to bar singing their song. Filipe knows a few more American songs made popular by Buddy Holly and though the lyrics are not easy to sing and fit into their limited Carnaval repertoire, the rhythms are easy to reproduce and the group give it their all. They are frowned on by the older population and the rival Carnaval groups prefer to keep their distance.

Come judging time which is way after dark and held in the shadows of the stone lions, all groups gather to hear the verdicts. The Guardia Civil knows when to keep their distance as nearly the whole village is now assembled in the square.

The village mayor has declined to be involved in order to save his skin. He is after all not elected but installed in office by the regime. No political parties are allowed during Franco's regime but a figurehead is still needed to project authority control.

A prominent solicitor and a wealthy citrus grower have agreed to do the judging. They have no fear of regime reprisal as they are both needed to make things function on a day to day basis.

Calling for calm and quiet, they step up on a cast-iron bench and announce the winner of the three hundred pesetas first prize. Second prize is 200 pesetas and runner up will receive 100 pesetas. Not bad for a day’s work.

Waiting anxiously, Luis's group miss out on first prize. Second prize is not theirs either. And neither is third prize.

Their act is obviously too unorthodox for this traditional hilltop village, never mind one being ruled by a fascist authoritarian regime.

Luis and his group return to Luis's parent's house, tails between their legs and though defeated retain a degree of pleasure, knowing that the youth of the village were on their side. There is always next year after all.