The memory of the so-called 'matuteras' is once again gaining prominence in San Roque with the upcoming premiere of an audiovisual piece that collects the testimonies of these women and their descendants. Their work, essential during the post-war years of scarcity, involved acquiring products in Gibraltar to later sell them in their places of origin.
Many of them came from the Serranía de Ronda and made long train journeys to the San Roque Station, from where they continued their route. Thanks to this effort, they managed to support their families during a particularly difficult time, becoming key figures in the domestic economy.
“"This initiative seeks to preserve the legacy of these women and protect their customs as part of the intangible cultural heritage of the municipality."
The documentary's premiere is scheduled for April 25 and is part of the conference “Matuteras, border and democratic memory in the Campo de Gibraltar,” which will take place on April 23, 24, and 25. The program will include specialized presentations, first-person testimonies, and historical reenactments, in addition to the documentary screening.
The local administration emphasizes the need to give visibility to a little-recognized but fundamental history for understanding the social and economic reality of the region in the past.
