Tertulia facts for kids
A tertulia is a special kind of social gathering, often held in Spain, Portugal, or Latin America. It's a friendly meeting where people get together to talk about interesting things like books, art, or what's happening in the world. Think of it as a club where friends meet regularly to share ideas and creations.
Sometimes, the word tertulia can even describe a TV show, like a chat show, where people discuss different topics, similar to the old gatherings.
Contents
What is a Tertulia Like?
A tertulia is a bit like a salon, which was a meeting in someone's home for discussions. However, tertulias often happen regularly in public places, like a cafe or a bar. Some tertulias are still held in private homes, such as a living room.
Who Attends a Tertulia?
The people who join a tertulia are called contertulios or tertulianos. They might share their own new creations, like poetry, short stories, or other writings. Sometimes, they even share their artwork or songs! Usually, the people at a regular tertulia have similar interests, like the same taste in books or art.
Where Does the Word "Tertulia" Come From?
The word tertulia comes from Spanish. It has an interesting history!
King Philip II and Learned Discussions
Back in the 1500s, Philip II of Spain was a king who loved ancient history and cultures. He hired smart people, like Juan de Mal Lara, to write poems for the artworks in his palaces.
King Philip was very interested in the writings of an old Christian author named Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus. His courtiers (people who worked at the royal court) and academics would gather to talk about these works with the king. This is how the word tertulia came to mean a meeting for learned discussions.
Tertulias in Spanish America
Tertulias were very important in Spanish America, especially before these countries became independent.
Tertulias and Independence in Argentina
Before 1810, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, women like Mercedes de Lasalde Riglos, Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson, and Flora Azcuénaga held tertulias in their homes. These discussions were very important and helped lead to the May Revolution. This revolution was the first step in Argentina's fight to become free from Spain.
- "Madame Riglos" was a leading lady who supported conservative ideas.
- Doña Melchora de Sarratea was a fashion leader and knew a lot about public and private matters. She supported liberal ideas.
- Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson was especially good at talking about foreign relations.
Similar tertulias were also happening in Lima, Peru, during this time. Women like Manuela Rábago de Avellafuertes de Riglos and Narcisa Arias de Saavaedra hosted them.
Social Life After Independence
José Antonio Wilde wrote about Buenos Aires after Argentina became independent. He said that many well-known and wealthy families, and even many other good families, would hold tertulias at least once a week.
At these gatherings, guests usually danced from 8:00 PM to midnight. Only mate (a traditional drink) was served. If the party went on later, chocolate would also be offered. People didn't dress up too much, and the main fun was dancing, music, and talking. This made the cost of these parties very low. Sometimes, a piano player was hired, or young people would play dance music. Even an older aunt might play some old dance tunes. The most important thing was to dance and have fun!
See also
In Spanish: Tertulia para niños
- Pulqueria
- Stammtisch
- Tertullian
- Viennese café
