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Life is full of coincidences, often surreal ones. Stay with me until the end because this post has an unexpected plot twist. I’ve been thinking about writing this post for months, but I could never quite decide.
On July 9, 2024, the legendary and historic Bar Kiosco Pololo, founded by Antonio Jiménez Pérez, was torn down by the town council after its license expired. Located in the Plaza del Padre Alvarado, between the Arco de la Rosa and the Plaza de la Constitución, it was a beloved spot known to everyone. However, the iconic brick kiosk was preserved and won’t be demolished, as it’s considered a part of Marchena’s history.
Antonio Jiménez, known as “El Pololo,” had an accident at 22 years old, resulting in the amputation of his right leg. Undeterred, he took over the management of the kiosk that same year and also got married. Initially, in 1955, he established a small brick kiosk where he sold drinks and sweets. Over time, this business grew and evolved into the Bar Kiosco Pololo in 1967, thanks to a municipal concession. The bar became known for its family-friendly atmosphere. Antonio’s wife cooked at their home across from the kiosk, and their six children grew up closely tied to the family business.
It was a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Many celebrities visited Pololo, including Pepe Marchena, Enrique de Melchor, José Mercé, Camarón de la Isla, Antonio Gala, and Paquirri. Pepe Marchena, a renowned flamenco singer, lived directly across from the bar. Marchena’s municipal auditorium is named after Pepe Marchena, and he even appeared in six films, including La reina mora (1955), the debut film of Concha Velasco, the iconic “chica ye-yé” who was just 15 at the time.
Enrique de Melchor, a celebrated guitarist and close friend of Antonio Jiménez, also had a special connection to the Kiosco Pololo. It’s said that after his performances in Madrid, Enrique would return to Marchena with suitcases full of comics that were hard to find locally. He sold them to Antonio, who then offered them to the bar’s customers, blending pop culture with the establishment’s community spirit.
One of Pololo’s sons, Eugenio, has been lifelong friends with my father since their school days. Back then, their school was the San Agustín church, where priests were their teachers. I remember Eugenio once telling me about the day the dictator Franco died. A priest came to inform them that classes were canceled that day. They began cheering and causing a commotion, but the priest told them to quiet down, fearing he’d get into trouble, as Franco had just died and nothing had yet changed in Spain. Franco was known for his brutal treatment of dissenters.
Eugenio’s wife, Rosario, has also been lifelong friends with my mother since childhood. Though they’ve been living in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz) for decades, they occasionally visit Marchena and own a countryside property with a pool.
Eugenio and Rosario have two daughters, Ana Araceli and María Eugenia. The photos above were taken by Ana Araceli. She was crowned Miss Marchena during the 2010 Queen of the Fair of Marchena contest, which hasn’t been held for several years. She later won Miss Seville 2010 and competed in Miss Spain 2011 and Miss Universe Spain 2013. (The organizers of Miss Spain went bankrupt and lost the license, leading the Miss Universe organization to create Miss Universe Spain.) Patricia Yurena won Miss Universe Spain 2013, competing in Miss Universe 2013, where she was first runner-up—an uncommon achievement for Spain. In fact, the only time Spain won Miss Universe (1974), the winner was dethroned for refusing to fulfill her duties (we must remember that Miss Universe is a job with a laboral contract), and the first runner-up took her place. As they say during the coronation, “If the winner is unable to fulfill her duties, the first runner-up will take her place. Good luck to you both.”
A year or two ago, a video by a Cuban YouTuber named Anita Mateu popped up in my recommendations. Anita moved to Spain and shares her experiences. In that video, she appeared with a girl from Texas named Rachel Anne, who also moved to Spain and has a YouTube channel. I subscribed to both channels immediately as I found them fascinating. Well, Rachel attended the Feria de Jerez in May 2024, and guess who appeared in one of her photos?
Yes, it was Eugenio, son of Pololo! I was actually with my parents and them at the pre-feria in Jerez back in 2018.
This is the video of Rachel’s visit to the Feria de Jerez. Subscribe to her channel; it’s excellent and very interesting!
She also has a “prequel” video about shopping for a flamenco dress in Madrid for the event.
Though unrelated to the above, I feel like sharing another anecdote. I remembered it when Denmark won the most recent Miss Universe 2024, held in Mexico.
My mom’s younger sister, Aunt Nuria, when she was young, participated in a student exchange program with a Danish girl. My aunt went to live with her family in Denmark, while the girl came to live with my grandparents in Marchena. I was just a child then (my aunt is only 11 years older than me). Years later, the Danish girl became a Spanish teacher and brought her students on a trip to Spain. Naturally, they visited Marchena. My aunt called me to join them on the tour. When I arrived, they were at El Roete, where my aunt spent many years dancing and even performed Sevillanas Marcheneras on Canal Sur in 1991 (video below). She also danced flamenco in Japan (independently of El Roete).
We visited several landmarks, including the only time in my life I have visited the sacristy of San Juan Church, home to nine original paintings by the famous artist Francisco de Zurbarán. During lunch at Casa Manolo, one of the students told us she wanted to return on her own to practice Spanish. The following summer (I believe it was 2003), she came back to Marchena. Since she knew almost no one, she spent a lot of time with me.
After all I’ve shared, I seriously wonder if the six degrees of separation theory is truer than we think.
In recent years, the Town Hall of Marchena, together with Radio Televisión Marchena, has been organizing a pre-campanadas party held a few days before New Year’s Eve. This event simulates the traditional New Year’s Eve “campanadas” (chimes). It is also a charitable event, as the proceeds from the sale of grapes are donated to an organization that supports Alzheimer’s victims. Lasting over five hours, it began at 5:30 PM and included performances for kids, artificial snow, a DJ, and at 10 PM, the “campanadas,” complete with fireworks. This year, the event was held in Plaza de la Constitución, in front of the child’s fountain. It is a fantastic initiative that brings joy and life to the town.
For those visiting from other countries who may not be familiar with Spain’s New Year’s Eve campanadas tradition, it is one of the most iconic rituals that unites Spaniards. As the clock strikes twelve midnight on December 31st in the famous Puerta del Sol square in Madrid, people eat one grape for each chime. This ritual symbolizes wishes for good luck in the coming year and brings families and friends together in a shared moment of celebration, joy, and hope. It ends with a hearty “Happy New Year!” and a toast with champagne, cava, or whatever each family prefers.
By the warmth of the bonfire and beneath the imposing presence of the centuries-old monument Arco de la Rosa, we enjoyed a magnificent performance of flamenco carols (traditional Christmas songs adapted to the flamenco style). The evening featured the Asociación Cultural El Roete, with Miguel Ángel Talaverón – who will portray King Melchior in the 2025 Marchena Three Kings Parade. In the second half, the flamenco zambomba group Vivencias de la Avenida, composed of Calé Roma, left us in awe.
The audience spontaneously joined in with dances, and at one point, we saw Lole Ortiz, who will take on the role of King Gaspar, and Agustina Galán, King Balthazar, dancing alongside Miguel Talaverón.
It was a performance I truly enjoyed.
© 2025 Francisco González SOLEMNITY