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Medieval Andalusia as a Symbol of Tolerance

Cordoba MosqueWashington Revels stages celebrations of traditional music, dance and drama from different cultures and time periods. Our productions do not make value judgments concerning the various cultural traditions we present, nor do they address the causes of cultural divisions or advocate solutions to them. They are celebrations, not history lessons or policy prescriptions. This core principle merits emphasis in the context of this year’s show, which celebrates the cultural legacy of centuries during which Jewish, Muslim, and Christian peoples inhabited the same general area in Spain.

Medieval Andalusia has often been hailed as a “golden age” of tolerance among these peoples. That assertion has elicited vigorous and often emotional debate by scholars and others. The debate remains unresolved. It seems evident, however, that the reference to a “golden age” reflects an over-romanticized view of the 800+ years in which the three cultures/religions coexisted before the Muslims and Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492. On the other hand, it seems equally evident – particularly in the 300 years prior to the destruction of the Islamic Caliphate early in the 11th century – that at different times and places there was a considerable level of day-to-day social and economic interaction and acceptance.

Washington Revels takes no position on the debate over the actual level of tolerance, and nothing in the show addresses that issue in any way. But what we can say is this: in the same spirit in which Revels seeks to bring people together by shining a light on the traditions of different cultures, our celebration of the cultural legacy of medieval Andalusia in Jewish, Arabic and Spanish music, dance and drama honors the symbol that the time and place has become – however imperfect the reality – of greater tolerance and acceptance among different religions and cultures.
 
Entirely apart from the context of Andalusia, the presentation of Jewish, Arabic and Spanish traditions together on single stage is itself an important statement about our common humanity. Some may not accept the celebration of non-Christian traditions in a show that calls itself “The Christmas Revels,” and some may reject the possibility or even the desirability of reconciliation among these three religions. We hope and trust, however, that most will accept our ecumenical and non-political approach, appreciate seeing a production placing the three cultures side-by-side, and join us in celebrating some of the “Andalusian Treasures” they produced.