Although many people associate flamenco with dancing, the meaning of the term is much broader. It refers to an art form stemming from the folk music traditions of Andalusia, Murcia and Extremadura. The three main forms of flamenco expression are toque (guitar playing), cante (singing) and baile (dance). They are complemented by pitos (finger snapping), palmas (hand clapping) and jaleo (vocalization and chorus clapping). In 2010, flamenco was declared one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The Bienal de Flamenco was conceived in 1979 by José Luis Ortiz Nuevo, a Spanish actor, director, poet, writer, and one of the leading flamenco researchers and specialists. The first edition took place in 1980, between Holy Week (Semana Santa) and the Seville Fair. The festival has been held every two years since then, growing to become the most important event for flamenco aficionados from all corners of the world.
The Bienal de Flamenco is hosted by several theatres and other venues across Seville. It runs for more than three weeks and features over 500 flamenco dancers, singers and guitarists from different countries, both world-class performers and emerging artists who experiment with new forms of expression. The programming harmoniously combines traditional flamenco and experimental, avant-garde performances, offering various perspectives on the timeless art form.
Alongside exciting world and Spanish premieres, tributes and other performances, the programming includes workshops and parallel activities (street program) hosted by iconic venues around Seville. The Bienal de Flamenco attracts more than 100,000 flamenco aficionados, providing them with a truly unforgettable experience.
Photo: Silvia Palacios
