The course is taught by José Luis Calvo, known as Luigi, Real Zaragoza’s historian and also a gardener for the club. He is completely at home when it comes to discussing — and documenting — the history of the blue-and-white team, from the Aragonese side’s predecessors to the club as it is today.
Luigi himself told Aragón Digital how the course came about. “Together with the La Convivencia Zaragocista Supporters’ Club, we conduct research. Since we organize exhibitions and publish books, the CAI Foundation contacted me to launch courses on the history of Zaragoza and football in Zaragoza,” he explained.
The Alifantes, the first Real Zaragoza generation to achieve promotion to the top flight
One particularly notable aspect is that the course aims to broaden knowledge and understanding of the blue-and-white club. “We presented a project together with Real Zaragoza so people could learn about it, because we were going to expand the club’s history and help make it happen,” he explained.
THE SUBJECT MATTER
The course covers football’s arrival from England to Zaragoza, who brought it, how the first football grounds were established, the first clubs, Real Zaragoza’s predecessors, the wasp clubs, the tomato clubs and more. It also examines their influence on Real Zaragoza: the club’s beginnings, the Alifantes, the dark years, the Millonarios, the Magníficos, the Zaraguayos and more.
As José Luis Calvo says, it covers “a little bit of everything, but based on what Real Zaragoza represents as an institution, representing the city and the values it takes beyond Europe.” European competitions therefore occupy an important place, as do what it has meant for the city to carry its name across Europe, its European titles and its domestic titles.
There is more. The course will also examine the kits, the colors, why they were chosen, the first change strip and what it was, what the red colors represent in relation to the city and the club, the first grounds, the symbols and more. “They are stories unknown to many people,” he explained.
Image from one of the talks organized about La Romareda
“We want to analyze what Real Zaragoza represents to its supporters, the legacy it has left from its predecessors, from our grandparents to our parents, siblings, uncles and everyone else. And the legacy we leave for the future, based on what we have experienced and the moments we have shared,” he added.
THE CLASSES
The classes last an hour and a half and are held every Tuesday. They follow a chronological review through an extensive collection of items, including stickers and season tickets. There will be old shirts from Real Zaragoza’s golden eras, previously unpublished images and snapshots from each period aimed at stirring feelings and memories.
“We will bring materials for people to see. We will also try to work with Real Zaragoza and get its support for stadium visits, learning from people connected to the club, whether a player or someone else, and experiencing football from their perspective,” he explained.
Indeed, being “a supporter” is not the same as experiencing the game “from the inside” or as “a sports journalist.” “The idea would be to look at it from different perspectives so that we can understand the phenomenon of football in Zaragoza and what it has conveyed over the years,” he explained.
RECLAIMING IT NOW
Ultimately, it is “a story of emotions and collective identity.” Students will therefore also be able to share their own experiences: a final, a match with a loved one, a goal and more. What is being passed on is not only the club’s history, but also the history of “the city of Zaragoza.”
This course is also a way of reclaiming Real Zaragoza’s history, now playing in the third division (Primera RFEF). “These are the most important moments for understanding the greatness of football in Zaragoza. It has produced international players, won nine titles and has a huge social following. Passing that on is very important at this time,” he added.
Classes begin on October 20 at the CAI Foundation (1-3 Alcalde Sainz de Varanda Avenue), and registration closes on September 25. The price is 225 euros. Once a week, on Tuesdays from October 20 to May 25, it will be possible to attend a Real Zaragoza history class.
