NEWS

 Medieval art will return to medieval Spanish setting

by Toby Philpott - IJA European director

 

I learned to juggle outdoors, in the shadowless light of the sun in California and Mexico, with a clear blue sky as a perfect, non-glaring background. I have just revived these 13-year-old memories with a visit to the site for the 9th European Convention in Spain in September 18-21, 1986.

 

Castellar de la Frontera is a village in and around a castle built by the Romans, near Gibraltar on the border between Africa and Europe. The village has a long history, including occupation by the Moors, but that's another story.

 

I came to Castellar in my official role as European Director of the IJA to talk to the cultural association of the village. The air was hot and still as Mick Swain and I climbed an old Roman track to the castle. Both the climb and the view from the top took our breath away! Though there are foreign residents in the village, and both goat-herds and intellectuals amongst the Spanish people in the bar, this is a community and not a tourist place.

 

This is not an air-conditioned, controlled environment for juggling. It is real world, medieval street-juggling territory, with few flat and level places - just cobbled alleys and plazas. Dig out your medieval costumes and your second-best props. Bouncing is awkward, so this could be the year of the bean bag.

 

Some people could stay in the cheap Spanish "pensiones" in nearby villages and travel to the castle daily by shuttle bus. Some could stay with people of the village itself, while others park their vans and buses on the uneven spaces by the road to the castle. Camping will be possible, but the ground is rocky so a sleeping mat or air bed might be useful. There may be circus tents for those with only sleeping bags.

 

The practical problems of convention week will be harder than in a city. The tap water is fine for washing, but tastes chlorinated. Fresh water comes from a spring down the hill, but it is a beautiful walk down a track built by the Romans. There are few flushing toilets in the village, but we will arrange a temporary toilet system to cope with the added numbers, as the countryside could not hygienically absorb us all.

I don't foresee any major problems with the practicalities, as jugglers are adept at improvisation. Problems may begin to appear, however, if the number of people arriving is too large for the available resources or if they stay too long. We don't wish to restrict the numbers, but it would be useful to estimate how many people are interested. If you would send a post card with your address to the Cultural Associa­tion and mention whether you will be self-sufficient or require housing it would be helpful.

 

Don't expect personal replies, as further information will be released through "Juggler's World" and "Kaskade." The mailing list will be used for late announcements in the summer.

 

This convention is for the Traveling Players. The castle may be magic, but remember that you will be living more like a serf than a duke, so don't bring anything really valuable - bring a water bottle and some food instead.

 

This will be a place for socializing, in a small community used to a mixture of languages - a market place for friends and ideas. I have always thought of our meetings as a forum rather than a formal convention, and this is the perfect place for unexpected sights and happy reunions, with a surprise around every corner! For more information write - Association Cultural Castellar, Castellar dela Frontera, Proz. Cadiz, Spain.

 

First life members sign on

Four members have signed up for life! Two members of the board of directors and two other people have become the IJA's first Life Members.

 

The $250 cost of this category of membership carries with it several privileges.

1) Lifetime first class subscription to "Juggler's World,"

2) Special notation in IJA Rosters,

3) A gold, numbered Life Member wallet card,

4) Preferential seating at convention events,

5) An IJA lapel pin and patch,

6) Ten percent discount on all IJA merchandise.

The IJA's life members at this point are:

1) Bill Giduz, president - Davidson, NC

2) Rich Chamberlin, secretary - Kenmore, NY

3) Paul "Fig" Fegen - Beverly Hills, CA

4) Mike Glass - Dallas, TX

 

Why don't you join them? Send in your tax-deductible $250 life membership check to: IJA, Kenmore, NY.