Interview with Montserrat Mauné, President of Foment de la Sardana
Montserrat Mauné has held the position of President of Foment de la Sardana for eight years, and during this time, the organization has been very active in promoting and preserving the culture of sardana in Figueres. In this interview, we talk to her about the events that will be held to commemorate the anniversary of the death of the composer Pep Ventura.
Tribute to Pep Ventura
Next March 24, Foment de la Sardana will organize several activities to honor Pep Ventura. These activities will include a floral offering at the cemetery, poetry recitals and musical performances. Pere Puig, pianist, will play some of Pep Ventura’s sardanas, while Josep Quer, double bassist, will offer some musical arrangements. The city council will also be present to hold some parliaments. After the event, a wreath will be taken to the pantheon of the illustrious Figueres, where Pep Ventura is. At ten in the morning, a sardana dance will take place in Plaça Tarradellas, in front of the monument. In addition, during this celebration, a pennant donated by the daughter of the former president of Foment, Ferran Arbusà, will be handed over.
Preserving the History of the Sardana
Foment de la Sardana, founded in 1927, is one of the oldest entities in the city. The organization has dedicated itself to preserving and studying the sardana in all its forms. They have a collection of seven thousand sardanas, including works by a great diversity of composers. They have also received a banner from the sardanist gang Renaixement, which is now on display at the Menestral Casino. Also, they are working to index all the sardanas and have old hand made works in their archive.
The Sardana, an Enduring Tradition
The sardana is a traditional dance that is part of the identity and culture of the region. Although some people think that the tradition is being lost, Montserrat Mauné assures that Foment de la Sardana has increased the number of members during the last eight years. In addition, they have worked to keep the sardana alive during the pandemic, organizing concerts and getting people to become members of the organization. However, he recognizes that it is a challenge to capture the interest of young people and they are collaborating with the INS Ramon Muntaner to introduce the sardana in the school curriculum.
The Relief of the Sardana
Despite the continuous interest from young musicians and composers, Montserrat Mauné emphasizes that what is really missing is more people in the square. Although the sardana gatherings are still popular, it is the same people who attend them year after year. Foment de la Sardana tries to involve the youth through collaborations with schools and other organizations to promote traditional dance.
Preserving the Tradition
Foment de la Sardana is an organization committed to the preservation of the Sardana and the promotion of traditional culture. In addition to the organization of gatherings and other events related to the sardana, the organization works closely with other organizations to promote the dance and foster generational relief. With the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Pep Ventura’s death approaching, the organization plans to organize concerts and other activities to commemorate his life and work.
The culture of the sardana is an important part of the heritage of Figueres and the Empordà. Thanks to the efforts of Montserrat Mauné and Foment de la Sardana, this tradition is still alive and well present in the life of the city. With community support, the sardana will remain an essential part of the region’s culture and identity.