The florists of La Rambla have inspired poets, writers and playwrights. They give identity to the most famous street in Barcelona and create its history based on daisies and carnations.
If the florists of La Rambla disappeared, Barcelona’ d become the saddest city in the world. As if Sagrada Familia was extirpated from the city’s skyline. Worse, as if a hurricane swept the tiles of Gaudí’s works and La Boqueria only sold energy bars. Gray would conquer the streets and Las Ramblas, with their strength, determination and joy, would never smile again.
That’s why the florists of La Rambla cannot disappear. Luckily, they have no intention to do so. Thanks to them it is always spring in this street. It doesn’t matter if it rains, freezes or is hot as hell. They settled down in the nineteenth century and are responsible of crowding La Rambla with people. Social gatherings were formed around their parades and it was common coming across with artists like Salvador Dalí or impressionist painter Ramón Casas (1866-1932). In fact, there he met Julia, his muse and future wife. Although Casas’ brushes were obsessed with this lottery seller, they also captured everyday scenes of the walk.
Women with frank laughter and wet hands
Another painter was Antonio Utrillo (1867-1944), who portrayed one of the many florists who shared joy every day. Another great enthusiast of these women was Federico García Lorca (1898-1936). Florists made him conceiving La Rambla as “the only street on earth I wish it never end“. During the presentation of his play, Doña Rosita the Spinster he gave a beautiful speech dedicated to to “those women with frank laughter and wet hands” that have made history.
Florists of La Rambla not only dazzled the great minds of the early twentieth century. If they are still in La Rambla it is for a good reason. Politician and historian Cirici Pellicer assured that thanks to them the street was “the quintessence of Barcelona“. Singer Joan Manuel Serrat dedicated a song to them, Les floristes de La Rambla, in his album Banda Sonora d’un temps, d’un país (1996). They also conquered the theater. Dramatist Josep María de Sagarra (1894-1961) wrote for them La Rambla de les Floristes.
So, what the heck is so special about the florists of La Rambla? Well, they have been inspiring, starring and entertaining the routine of the people of Barcelona for two centuries. The landscape of the street has changed a lot in recent times. However, there are still emblematic positions such as Flores Carolina, which is already in the fifth generation of vendors. As Lorca said: “Abundant breezes, beautiful in her encounters, old blood … so it is and will be the Rambla de Barcelona”.