Where do we come from

When, at dawn of the Low Middle Ages, jugglers and trouvadours went through the ways of Europe, none of them could imagine that after six hundred years would persist some of their costumes and habits.

The existence of tuno (name that people give to this students - jugglers) goes togethern with the appearance and expansion of the Universities in Spain, turning into a combination of juggler, rogue and adventurer as it is clear from this statement that is written in Old Spanish: " ... Yuntamiento qu´es fecho d´escolares para haber mantenencia e correr la tierras sirviendo a las dueñas d´ellas con cortesanía...".

This bundle of traditions, including clothing, characteristic of the Golden Spanish Century, has remained in the spanish universities until nowadays. Tuno, nowadays, continous being a traveller, adventurer, romantic, rogue and musician.

What do we do

From the joining of the music and tradition stems one of the activities that has been kept up by Tuna since its appearance: the Serenade. In front of her window and behind his flag Tuna march and sing the young woman; then a tasty snack accompanied with and old and good red wine will be perfect to recover from the cold night.

But Tuna ,as time goes by, also has filled a space in the life of the University. All the University celebrations rely on the presence of Tuna, that with his presence gives a touch of joy, tradition and colour to the ceremony. Anyway, many social or cultural events where the University takes an important roll count on the presence of Tuna. Outstanding example of that is the performance that each year, and because of the Cervantes Literature Award, Tuna makes to the winner and Their Majesties the Kings of Spain in the Trilingual Court at the University of Alcala.

What do we sing

Sobre la huella de antiguos estudiantes
que en otros tiempos rondaron la ciudad
hoy se pasean las chicas elegantes,
igual de guapas que antes, que alegran Alcalá.

En los conventos la voz de la campana
recuerda siglos de rezo y vocación
y cuando duermes, el eco de rondallas
despierta melodías que oíste con amor.

Alcalá de Henares,
de la lengua y la cultura tú eres gloria
que ilumina con su llama la memoria,
lo mejor de la española tradición.
Alcalá de Henares,
al cobijo de tu sombra quiero estar
y cerquita, muy cerquita de la virgen
que se venera en la Ermita del Val.

Hoy ya no hay Tunas que vendan ilusiones
ni la muralla defiende su solar
pero en las rejas que cercan tus balcones
alegres corazones se vuelven a asomar.

Entre la hiedra que cubre tu añoranza
y entre las grietas que hieren tu dolor
sonríen mudas las piedras milenarias
pues saben que otras nuevas reviven su calor.

The hymn of Tuna is called Alcalá de Henares, same as the name of the city where the University rests. The first time the song was composed and sung was om 20th November 1959 by Cerezo y sus muchachos in the Red Cross Festival.

Title: Alcalá de Henares
Music: Maestro José Cebrián
Letter: Fernando Saez de Santamaría.

Where do we go

Tuna has always been distinguished by its travelling spirit and for taking its music wherever it goes, and Tuna de Alcalá wouldn´t an exception and that is why it has gone all around the wortld, being Latin America the most destination. The main trips were:

• July - August 1989 : Peruan and bolivian tour, taking part in the Peruan Senate fundation Conmemorial Act, and being received in their residences by Mr. Mario Vargas LLosa former candidate for the residency of Peru. Moreover Tuna was invited to the Mr. Jaime Paz Zamora Presidence taking up celebration just after having won the elections of the Republic of Bolivia.
• October and December 1990 : Colombian Tour. Tuna was Guest of Honor of the Mayoralties of Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Cartagena de Indias, Santa Marta and Manizales.
• October 1991 : Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and Republica Dominicana tour. Tuna was Guest of Honor again.
• July 1992 : Uruguay an Paraguay tour, where Tuna mdes its performances in the main theatres of the cities of Montevideo and Asunción.
• July - August 1994 : Venezuela tour. Visiting the cities of Caracas, Maracaibo, Porlamar, S. Félix, Ciudad Bolívar and Cumaná being invited by the Ministry of Youth, the Goverment of Zulia and Bolívar State, and Spanish Centres of the cities of Porlamr, S. Félix and Cumaná.
• February 1995 : Taiwan and Hong Kong tour. Tuna was the representative of Spain at the Kaosiung International Fair (Taiwan) and being invited by the Consulate of Spain in Hong Kong.

On the other hand, and in addition to the mentioned distinctions. Tuna de Alcalá has been awarded in several ocasions with the most renowned prices alongside of the Spanish Geography, winning the First Prize of the chief Tuna Contests celebrated in Madrid (1985, 1987, 1992), Oviedo (1986, 1993), La Alberca - Salamanca (1991), Caceres (1992), Arnedo - La Rioja (1993) and Murcia (1994, 1995).