Flamenco rhythms

Singing, dancing, and sweet Andalusian melodies are what await the Fassi public during the second edition of the Fes Flamenco Festival, which will take place from 30 April to 5 May. Organised by the Cervantes Institute of Fes, with the support of the Spanish Embassy in Morocco, the urban commune of Fes, and the Association of Spanish Performers, this unique artistic event will be themed this year around "The young values of flamenco".

During a press conference organised in Fes, the Director of the Cervantes Institute of Fes, Antonio Rodríguez Jiménez, explained that this festival aims to "bring to Fes the essence and tradition of Spanish music, represented through flamenco in its multiple artistic expressions".

Indeed, flamenco, a popular art born from the meeting between Gypsy musical traditions and Andalusian culture, constitutes a very important component of Spain's culture. In this art, Andalusian and Maghrebi cultures marry in perfect harmony to produce a very enchanting result.

For his part, Guillermo Escribano, Cultural Advisor at the Spanish Embassy in Morocco, stressed during his speech that this festival represents an initiative aimed at strengthening and consolidating cooperation relations between Morocco and Spain.

Regarding the programme, an exhibition titled "Poetry, Art and Flamenco" will kick things off on 30 April. This exhibition, which will be open to the public until 30 May, will pay tribute to flamenco through works delving into the roots of this art, presented by around forty poets, painters, and photographers. Concerts will begin on 2 May at the Al Houriya theatre with the show "Allez avec Dieu" (Go with God). Presented by the Antonio Andrade company and dancer Úrsula Moreno, this opening concert will blend Indian dance and Spanish music with Maghrebi elements to grace the show with an exceptional performance. Illustrating the festival's theme this year, the other concerts scheduled for this occasion will give priority to young artists who have proven themselves in the artistic register of flamenco.

In addition to singer Israel Fernández, who will perform at the Al Houriya theatre on 4 May, accompanied by guitarist Paco Vidal and percussionist Isidro Suarez, budding artists will take to the stage to share their artistic talents with the public.

These include guitarist Jesús Guerrero, dancer Ana Morales, and singer Ma Mezcle. The festival will close on 5 May with a concert given by the company of flamenco dancer Manuel Liñán. It should be noted that the Cervantes Institute of Fes, which plays an important role in promoting flamenco by organising, in particular, the Fes Flamenco Festival, has hosted the first Flamenco Information Point outside of Spain since 7 April 2011, where anyone wishing to discover the different aspects of flamenco can consult all existing documentation on the history of this art.

On 17 November 2010, UNESCO declared flamenco as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This multifaceted art, stemming from Jewish, Arab, and Andalusian cultures, introduced by the Gypsies in Andalusia in the 15th century, occupies a very important place in the cultural and artistic universe of Spain. After its distinction by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, flamenco has finally achieved global recognition.

Provider / Source : Afaf Razouki, Le Matin