Up the staircase hidden behind Venus in her clam shell, a group of Catalonians groove in a Merengue style dance
As we pedaled through the city on our Fat Tire Bike Tour, we arrived at the Cascada del Parc de la Ciutadella.
Up the staircase hidden behind Venus in her clam shell, a group of Catalonians groove in a Merengue style dance. Three couples engaged in the dance session and motioned for onlookers to join in. The meet up was organized with a large speaker set up, local couples come and go as they please.
Merengue originates from the Dominican Republic, formerly a part of Spain, and still has a strong presence in Barcelona. It’s popularity and occasion is comparable to the American choice of square dancing. The instruments used in Merengue music originate in Europe and were brought to the Dominican Republic by the Spanish.
Spain’s presence in the Dominican Republic begins with the Spanish Inquisition started by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabel I of Castille. The Catholic Monarch’s funded Christopher Columbus’s 1492 expedition that led him to the Dominican Republic. The Spanish remained in the Dominican Republic until the 19th century.
Our tour guide, Niev explained the park was originally a sign of oppression, as it was occupied by a Citadel meant to discourage a Catalan uprising. Built by Filipe V of Spain, the Citadel was the center of operations meant to prevent civil unrest. Cannons pointed inward toward the city for this purpose as well.
When the Citadel was finally destroyed, the area was converted into a park as a recreational area for citizens to eat, drink, or have a hidden Merengue dance.
@meg.kenn Hidden Merengue dance atop the Cascada del Parc de la Ciutadella #CICBarcelona2023 ♬ original sound – megan
Authors:
Megan Kennedy
Megan Kennedy is a rising senior visual communications major with a minor in entrepreneurship. She is from Charlotte, North Carolina and enjoys reading, traveling and cooking.
Claire Carter
Claire Carter is a rising senior multimedia journalism major with a minor in business. She is from Saint Augustine, Florida and is a Taylor Swift lover and dog mother.
Grace Elliotte
Grace Elliotte is a rising junior mass communications major and art studio minor. She is from Fort Mill, South Carolina and enjoys hiking and painting.
Anthony Mezzanotte
Anthony Mezzanotte is a rising senior and visual communications major. He is from Fort Mill, South Carolina and enjoys golfing, skiing, and hiking.