Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.
Last Thursday morning there was a trailer for the news programme "The World at One", where they mentioned all the news items they would be looking at, ending with "...and how the use of the name Flamenco is to be protected.."
I practically jumped out of my seat.
I think they were meaning as in "Scotch" whisky or "Champagne" or "Parmesan" cheese etc.
I listened to the whole programme, but sadly the item was dropped for breaking news.
Nothing on the Friday programme either.
Anyone know anything about this? Is it an EU thing? Who is making the application, Spain?
Not sure how to feel about this but I think it's fine if it's just a symbolic thing, not a legal issue like with Champagne or Jamon serrano... I think they only do that for foods though.
Can I still make Flamenco guitars? Or will they have to be "fakemenco" guitars or "guitars suitable for percussive strumming"
I don't like the idea of a bunch of non artistic bureaucrats being involved with flamenco. Outcasts created our art. We shouldn't get in bed with some government office.
I don't like the idea of a bunch of non artistic bureaucrats being involved with flamenco. Outcasts created our art. We shouldn't get in bed with some government office.
But flamenco is already in bed with money? Flamencos touring from Brazil to Japan, Australia, .... So, how much worse is it to have it as a trademark?
Artists being in bed with money at least makes the performers answer to their audience.
Well yeah, and having it as a trademark is just a way to get more revenue out of it. If its ok to sell art for money, than its ok to try to get the maximum amount of money.
An example the Tango argentino is part of it The Tango
Yeah, it does seem like just a recognition thing (and by the UN, too! ). I don't see anything on their site suggesting that the name would be protected (like sherry or champagne) or anything like that.
I just saw on CNN that it's finally been accepted as intangible cultural heritage. They'd been applying every year for the last few years, so it's about time.
RE: The name "Flamenco" to... (in reply to NormanKliman)
Thanks Norman
Interesting post
Just added this as had no real idea about Intangible Cultural Heritage
''Intangible Cultural Heritage means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. For the purposes of this Convention, consideration will be given solely to such intangible cultural heritage as is compatible with existing international human rights instruments, as well as with the requirements of mutual respect among communities, groups and individuals, and of sustainable development.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intangible_cultural_heritage
In my opinion, it was done with the best of intentions but with typically disappointing results. At least there are some scenes with good artists.
I might have missed it, but I didn't notice a single mention of compás or verse (meter, anonymous authorship, etc.) in the text or video.
At 1:40, the narrator says, "To complete the picture, at the end of the 18th century, this original version of flamenco was further shaped by the dazzling personality of the gypsies. Since that time, for the people inhabiting the geographic triangle which lies between the mines of La Unión in Murcia, the pastures of Badajoz and the marshes of southern Andalusia, flamenco has meant much more than just beautiful and breathtaking music and dance."
So, they're stating that gypsies had nothing to do with flamenco prior to the late 18th century, and that flamenco subsequently developed in an area that doesn't include Cádiz, Jerez, Almería, Granada, Málaga... When people talk or write about flamenco, the use of the word "triangle" is a strong indication that they've got their facts wrong.
EDIT: In all fairness, the author was probably trying to describe the area poetically, although IMO the context (of the document and the event) calls for more precise terms.
At 4:54: "In a similar manner, flamenco created the martinetes, those rousing songs of the forge to accompany the rhythm of the hammer striking the anvil (...) and the many other styles which were erased from memory when the activities which justified their existence were closed down."
It's been said that the blacksmiths probably didn't actually sing while they worked because of all the heat and smoke. A much more likely scenario is that they would party at or around the forge but not while working. Also, it makes no sense at all to confirm the existence of "styles which were erased from memory."
At 5:58, there's an image of Juan Talega but they credit Pepe el de La Matrona.
Printable Version
Or will they have to be "fakemenco" guitars or "guitars suitable for percussive strumming" 
). I don't see anything on their site suggesting that the name would be protected (like sherry or champagne) or anything like that.
When people talk or write about flamenco, the use of the word "triangle" is a strong indication that they've got their facts wrong. 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread