The Bolavento
A story
In the 1960s, the city of Granada was home to a venerable gentleman named Don Alonso de Montalbán. He was renowned for his deep knowledge of the traditional produce of every corner of the province. His love for Granada and its rich traditions shone through above all during the Corpus festival, when the streets filled with life and colour, and he wanted to keep that light and joy alive at his gatherings. The essential dishes – meatballs, pork loin with garlic, ensaladilla… – delighted every guest at his table.
At one of these gatherings, Don Alonso shared with his friends a story he had heard from his grandfather as a boy:
Down from the Sierra Nevada mountains blows a magical wind, carrying people’s whispered wishes. It is the Bolavento: brimming with energy, it brings the promise of thrilling adventures and discoveries to those brave enough to follow it.
His tale captured the imagination of everyone present, and from then on it became a recurring theme of their conversations, during that Corpus and every one that followed. Letting the wind carry them and seeking out new experiences became the metaphor for their lives: exploring the riches of Granada’s cooking and savouring every moment.
