Concerts, debates, lectures and itineraries to remember the writer Francisco Casavella

The neighbourhood of Sant Antoni and Castell de Montjuïc will be the main venues for the festival El Watusi torna a Barcelona. Homenatge a Casavella, a day in which the figure of the writer Francisco Casavella -pseudonym of Francisco García Hortelano- and his great work, the trilogy El día del Watusi, will be remembered. It will be held on 15 October, the same day that the Barcelona-born author would have been 60 years old (he died in 2008), and there will be concerts, theatre, guided tours, readings and debates. It is jointly organised by Institut de Cultura de Barcelona, Biblioteques de Barcelona and Castell de Montjuïc, and the writer Miqui Otero is the curator.

Casavella left titles such as El triunfo (1990) and El secreto de las fiestas (1997), but he is especially remembered for the trilogy El día del Watusi (2002-2003), a cult novel about Barcelona in the 20th century. The main character, Fernando Atienza, and his squire, Pepito el Yeyé, believe they have seen the corpse of the Watusi, a legendary character from the neighbourhood, floating in the waters of the port of Barcelona. It is 15 August 1971.

Commented routes through the neighbourhood of Sant Antoni

The programme includes three routes. Prior registration is required to attend. One is entitled Francisco Casavella: la importància del barri (Sant Antoni, el Raval i el Poble-sec) en la seva vida i la seva obra, and is given by the writer Pilar Romera. Another route is Francisco Casavella a la pista de ball en sortir de l’escola: La emoción es lo que cuenta, with a dynamic performance by DJ Ragna (Jorge López), promoter, manager of Peret and a close friend of Casavella’s since childhood. And a third route is entitled Francisco Casavella entre llibres: literatura al barri, with the bookseller Isabel Sucunza. The three itineraries will start at 10:30 am.

The party at the castle

From noon to nightfall, the Castell de Montjuïc will be full of activities, starring names such as Josele Santiago, David Krahe, Carlos Zanón, Laura Fernández, Jordi Garrigós, David Caño and Bruna Cusí. This is the planned programme:

12:00 PM – Elevación, elegancia y entusiasmo. I
Soundtrack of the tribute by DJ Ragna.

12:30 PM – Vermouth concert by Yumitus del Pichón and its Combo 
Yumitus del Pichón performed live at the presentation of El triunfo, Casavella’s debut novel. Years later they pay tribute to the author with their Catalan rumba.

1:25 PM – The novel of the transition, “El Watusi”, as the definitive work of the ‘kaos’ of a country that “went from dramatic to imbecilic” 
Moderated by Jordi Costa and with the participation of Mar Padilla, Silvia Sesé and Pedro Burruezo. Recital by Pedro Burruezo.

2:10 PM – Concert by Josele Santiago, accompanied by David Krahe
There are many connections and affinities between Josele Santiago and Francisco Casavella. The former’s most mythical group is mentioned in the novel, while Josele was inspired by one of the most hilarious moments of El día del Watusi for one of his solo songs.

3:05 PM – “Lo que sé del triunfo” by Joan Riambau
With El triunfo, his first novel, Casavella became known as an extraordinary storyteller and a creator of fascinating myths. From Hamlet to rumba, an evocation of the book and of the writer.

4:35 PM –  El Watusi and the endless conga of popular culture
Moderated by Núria Torreblanca and with the participation of Carlos Zanón, Laura Fernández and Jordi Garrigós.

Commentary on the cultural references that appear in “El día del Watusi” and the connections with Casavella himself and the naturalness with which they are integrated in his writing.

5:20 PM –  Elevación, elegancia y entusiasmo. II
Soundtrack of the tribute by DJ Ragna.

5:30 PM – Concert by Morfi Grei & Raúl Pulido (La Banda Trapera del Río), with the participation of Eduardo Margaretto
Presentation of the songs from the new album “La Noche del Watusi” dedicated to Francisco Casavella, with poems by Eduardo Margaretto and songs by La Banda Trapera del Río.

6:15 PM –  Elevación, elegancia y entusiasmo. III
Soundtrack of the tribute by DJ Ragna.

6:25 PM – Recital by David Caño
The poet pays tribute to Casavella, one of his main references, and specially to his novel, which he has tattooed on his body.

6:40 PM – Monologues of “El día del Watusi” set to music
Directed by Iván Morales, actor, director, scriptwriter and creator of the play El día del Watusi by Francisco Casavella, premiered at the last edition of the Grec Festival of Barcelona.

“El gran lío”, by Bruna Cusí (actress) and Àlex Monner (guitarist).

“La francesa”, by David Climent (actor) and Raynald Colom (trumpet player).

7:30 PM – Final concert
Gas station rumba punk concert with Los Perlas and garage and psychedelic music by Biscuit with a special cameo by Martí Sales singing his hymn “Watusi 65”, by Els Surfing Sirles.

You can download the programme at this link.