And no one feels foreign

“And no one in Logroño feels like a foreigner.” This is how the chorus of the song by Rafael Ibarrula and José Manuel Calzada ends, to which Alfredo Rodríguez gave voice, and which is now, officially, the anthem of the capital of Rioja. A song that was presented this Sunday (although many of the city’s residents already know it perfectly) during the ‘Cantando a Logroño’ concert, held in El Espolón.

This recital returned to the city’s festive program after five years and had Ibarrula himself as organizer. For the occasion, the winner (along with Calzada and Angélica Sáenz) with one of the insignia of San Bernabé for 2024 has presented a recital that brings together three Riojan music projects: ‘Cantando a Logroño’, ‘Cantando al Bon Vino de Rioja ‘ and ‘Singing on the Camino de Santiago’.

The group Illo-Gronio, Nerea Nogueira, the Bona Cántica Choir, the Escuela de Dulzaina de La Rioja and Naiara Ezquerro have been in charge of interpreting and producing this ode to the capital of Rioja and to the entire autonomous community in general. A show that started with Nogueira’s voice singing ‘La Rioja exists, how beautiful it is.’ United we must always do it.’

This has been the prelude to a journey through the popular music of the region, which has included songs such as ‘La carrasquilla’, ‘La tarara riojana’ ‘La Rioja canta’ or ‘Peregrinos a Santiago’. Naiara Ezquerro has also sung jotas and the audience, which has filled the available seats in El Espolón, has applauded at the end of each and every one of the performances.

But the climatic moment has arrived with the Logroño Anthem. His coming out. That song that arose from anger and that has been sung since then at football, in the Town Hall square and in the city’s bars. Also this Sunday in El Espolón. There was a preview by the Escuela de Dulzaina de La Rioja and, after ‘La Rioja, Tierra Hermosa’ (with José Vicente Aguirre present) the main course was played.

«The songs belong to the one who sings them. The Hymn to Logroño is yours. This is how José Manuel Calzada addressed those present to make way for Alfredo Rodríguez and the clapping of the entire audience with the chords of a lyric that already belongs to the collective memory of the people of Logroño. Because no one in Logroño feels like a foreigner.