La Movida Sevillana

Seville is a city with a lot of history, that is also the reason why a lot of tourists visit the beautiful city each year. Tourists like to learn about the different aspects of history, but mostly it is about the architecture and common things. That is why we will tell you about La Movida Sevillana. A part of history not many people know about.

La Movida was a countercultural movement that took place in Spain during the Spanish transition after the death of Francisco Franco in 1975. The new cultural wave was born in Madrid and then appeared in other Spanish cities, such as Barcelona, Bilbao, Vigo and Seville. The Spanish identity changed because of the movement and it also coincided with economic growth in the country. The characteristics of ‘la Movida’ are freedom of expression, transgression of the taboos imposed in Francoist Spain (freedom of sexuality), the use of recreational drugs and a new spirit of freedom on the streets.

The movement expressed itself in many different ways. Think about music, this changed in mood, looks, attitude and of course sound. ‘La Movida’ can not be linked to one particular type of music. It consists of a great variety and freedom in taste of music, alternative to the music that previously was presented as popular. It would be punk, rock, new wave, techno and everything in between.

Film and television was also used to spread the word about the movement. Films reflected the new freedom and tv shows were used to reach a wider audience. ‘La Movida’ was also expressed through photography and painting. In Madrid even graffiti was used as an expression of the movement. Two other important art forms were literature and comics, they were also used to spread the word of ‘La Movida’.

‘La Movida Sevillana’ stands for the movement specifically in Seville. In the 80’s the discotheques, cocktail bars, pubs and disco-pubs were the main focus in the movement. These places were reached by the public because of the change in mentality of what the definition is of youth fun, but also because the regulations regarding noise concerns and tobacco were changed in Seville.

In 1978 there was a change in the law and the age of majority went from 21 to 18. These now adults were looking for new meeting points and wanted to experiment more and they found that place. Discotheques and cocktail bars became the main entertainment venues in Seville for a generation of young people. Urban tribes emerged strongly and were influenced mainly by music and clothing styles. A lot of new pubs, bars and discotheques were opened in the city centre of Seville, but also in other neighbourhoods.

Want to know the names of the discotheques and other places that were popular during ‘La Movida Sevillana’? Check the link: http://sevillamisteriosyleyendas.com/la-movida-sevillana-en-los-70-80-y-90/

Interested in the history of Seville? Book a private tour with us and our guides can tell you a lot more! https://atdspain.com/en/service/private-bike-tour