La bienal de Flamenco and the origin of the dance

La Bienal de Flamenco in Seville is the largest flamenco event in the world. The festival is held every two years, this year for the 22nd time from September 8 to October 1. For more than three weeks, Seville is the place where all flamenco lovers and professionals meet. You can enjoy premieres of new shows, famous artists in the field of guitar, vocals, dance, and young talent.

The Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla has been one of the most important flamenco festivals in the world since 1980, it belongs to the top three. As Seville is one of the largest flamenco cities worldwide (together with Jerez, Cádiz, Cordoba, and Granada), nothing could be expected less. The first Biennale is a project that came from the same committee that organized the congress of flamenco activities in Seville a year earlier, in May 1979.

For modern Flamenco, you need at least three talents: Passionate vocals, dance, and virtuoso guitar play. This was not always the case, however, because, like so many art forms, the Flamenco has been influenced by many peoples with equal cultures over the years. However, her birth is always linked to Andalusia.

There are many stories about her real origins. Firstly, it is likely that the Flamenco was born in Andalusia and that the Flamenco we know today was developed by many generations of ancestors from its gypsy culture. These gypsy influences on the Flamenco can be recognized by its typical Asian sounds and dance movements that the gypsies took with them to Andalusia when they left Asia in 1465. However, it is also said that the Flamenco owes its typical sounds to the ancient Greeks because of their syllabic style of singing. And that it was the Romans who gave the typical dance style to the Flamenco by the famous dancers who entertained their audience with castagnets and dance. And also that the typical singing forms of the Flamenco sound similar to Jewish singing.

Flamenco is thus a fusion of many folk cultures, but the current Flamenco is really from Andalusia and with Seville as an important center which is reflected in this Biennale. So try to visit one or more of the shows and enjoy the passion-filled singing, dance, and virtuoso guitar game.