They represent a "fresh take" on the traditional repertoire, performing at major events like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival to showcase Catalan maritime heritage. 2. The Song: "Ulls Verds"
Today, these songs are the centerpiece of the annual Cantada d'Havaneres in Calella de Palafrugell, where groups like Les Anxovetes continue to keep the tradition alive. From Cuba to Catalonia, Let’s Rumba Les Anxovetes Ulls Verds
The song is a romantic, seafaring ballad that praises the "enchanting gaze" and "green eyes" of a lover. Like many havaneres , it blends themes of love, the sea, and a deep sense of nostalgia ( enyorança ). They represent a "fresh take" on the traditional
Founded in Girona in 2014, Les Anxovetes is a trailblazing all-female havanera group. Traditionally, this genre was a male-dominated "tavern music" style, but Les Anxovetes has successfully modernized it for younger audiences while maintaining its nostalgic core. From Cuba to Catalonia, Let’s Rumba The song
It is characterized by the rhythmic 2/4 "contradanza" beat typical of Afro-Cuban music, which evolved into the Mediterranean havanera . 3. Cultural Context: The "Ida y Vuelta" Tradition