On a day as significant as March 8, International Women’s Day, it is essential to remember and honor those women whose impact transcends generations and borders. In the universe of flamenco, two figures shine with their own light: Fernanda and Bernarda de Utrera. Their legacy not only resonates on stage but has also left an indelible mark on Spanish history and culture.
Born in Utrera on February 9, 1923, and March 3, 1927, respectively, at number 20 Calle Nueva, Fernanda and Bernarda Jiménez Peña represent the very essence of flamenco. Raised in a gypsy family, they absorbed the roots and passion of this ancestral art from an early age. With Fernanda standing out as the best “soleá” singer of all time and Bernarda as a master of festive songs, the sisters from Utrera mastered a wide repertoire including “bulerías,” “seguiriyas,” “fandangos,” “soleares,” “tangos,” “tarantos,” and “cantiñas.”
Their journey in the world of flamenco was not easy. Despite the innate talent they possessed, the artistic attitude of the two sisters was never well seen through the eyes of their father, a butcher who earned enough money to protect his girls without them having to fend for themselves so early. However, Fernanda and Bernarda intervened in 1948 in the film “Duende y misterio del flamenco,” by Edgar Neville. Later, Antonio Mairena, who had a great friendship with the aforementioned butcher, convinced him to let his daughters record a disc, “Sevilla, cuna del cante.”
Their stays in New York, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, or Paris, their presence in the most prestigious tablaos in the world, and their numerous recordings with renowned record companies catapulted them to the top of flamenco. Their performances alongside legendary figures such as El Chocolate, Farruco, and Manuela Carrasco marked an era and elevated their status to that of living legends of flamenco.
But their influence goes beyond the stage. In 1988, Utrera dedicated a street to them and the following year, Fernanda received the prestigious “Compás del Cante” award. The Andalusian Regional Government awarded them Silver Medals in 1994, while both the Utrera City Council and the Seville Provincial Government named them Honorary Daughters.
The legacy of Fernanda and Bernarda de Utrera transcends time. Their deaths, Fernanda in 2006 and Bernarda in 2009, left a void in the world of flamenco that can never be fully filled. However, their spirit lives in every chord, in every flamenco style, and in every heart that beats to the rhythm of flamenco.
The Monument to Fernanda and Bernarda, erected in Utrera in 2005, is an eternal testimony to their greatness and their contribution to the flamenco art.
So much so that in September 2020, the Saint Laurent fashion show was held in Paris, with Kate Moss, Hailey Bieber, and Zoë Kravitz sitting in the front row, watching the models walk the runway to Fernanda’s “Se nos rompió el amor”
On this International Women’s Day, let us remember with admiration and gratitude these two exceptional women, whose legacy continues to inspire entire generations of artists and flamenco enthusiasts around the world. And to continue enjoying their artistry, we invite you to watch the magnificent documentary available on RTVE Play directed by Rocío Martín through the production company La Filmahora.
