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Kate -> RE: archangel fernandez and foreigners (Oct. 27 2007 11:45:28)
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That link does not work unless you are signed up as a subscriber to LA Times. However here it is again in the International Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/26/europe/EU-FEA-A-E-DAN-Spain-Flamenco-For-Foreigners.php
This article was syndicated by the Associated Press a few days ago and seems to be appearing in American Press everywhere. When I googled " Spain Frets over future of Flamenco" it got 1,450 hits so the news that 'flamenco is dying' is spreading fast.
In response I would say that when I have been to flamenco events in Madrid I have been one of only a handful of foreigners so the claim that Spaniards are not interested in Flamenco and cant afford to go to flamenco places does not ring true. I suspect they are talking specifically about tourist shows which of course would not interest the locals. If there are fewer tourist shows it may be that tourists are discerning and are not convinced that they are getting the real thing in these tablaos.
Last night in Granada I went to the 20th Flamenco Festival of the Albaicin. The audience was overwhelmingly Gitano, Spanish and a handful of foreigners, most of us Albaicin residents. A great concert by the way with four dancers , EL Farruco, Juan Andrés Maya, Juan de Juan and Luis de Luis accompanied by singers and guitars it was absolutely traditional, apart from the one cajon hidden in the background and hardly heard over the dancers. All the dancers were around 30 or younger as I suspect were most of the singers. Hardly a dying art. At the fin de fiesta one of the singer's daughter came on stage, a tiny thing about 5 or 6 and as she danced the people cried out " Que arte", she was amazing to watch. And by the way the audience was crammed with young people. A little girl of about two sat in front of me and clapped through the two hour ( maybe more) show.
The comment by Flamenco-world's critic that flamenco had failed to reach new audiences seems at odds with the comments that half the dance schools are filled with foreigners and half the hits on her website are from abroad. Are these notn ew audiences ? And I dont see how "Flamenco is distancing itself from young people and they are the ones who can keep it alive," as if Flamenco were a force in itself instead of an artform practised by people. From what I see all the old flamencos do nothing but encourage the youngsters.
The comments from Ortega about how hard it is to survive professionally as a flamenco artist can be said about almost all creative pursuits professionally, artists, rock musician, writers etc. Flamenco does recieve national and local support with arts councils specifically giving grants to flamenco companies. The Agencia para el Desarollo de Flamenco was founded specifically to do this. And what about Ortega's comment about foreigners liking flamenco more than Spaniards as they dont have social prejudices against Gypsies !!!! I think we can take her comments with a pinch of bitter salt.
And as for the guitar builder who does not take orders from Spaniards, perhaps his prices are too high and only foreigners will pay that. Maybe Stephen or Anders will make a comment on how many guitars if any they build for Spanish people as opposed to foreigners.
Another thought is that of the many people I know who sing/dance etc many are not professional performers but do it for enjoyment. Flamenco is an art, a way of life, not strictly a profession. In times gone past ( like with footballers) and still today flamencos have day jobs.
Oh well seem to have had my morning rant [;)]
Kate
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