🎸Why is International Flamenco Day celebrated?
International Flamenco Day is celebrated every 16 November in commemoration of a key date for Andalusian and Spanish culture. It was on 16 November 2010 that UNESCO declared Flamenco an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at a meeting held in Nairobi (Kenya), following a proposal by the Regional Government of Andalusia with the support of Murcia, Extremadura and the central government.
This declaration represented international recognition for an artistic expression that, as UNESCO points out, "is an identifying sign of numerous groups and communities, especially of the Roma ethnic community which has played an essential role in its evolution". Flamenco, which combines singing, dancing and guitar playing, expresses a whole range of feelings and moods — sorrow, joy, tragedy, rejoicing and fear — through sincere and expressive words.
📅When is International Flamenco Day celebrated?
In 2024, International Flamenco Day was officially celebrated on Saturday 16 November, although the planned activities extended throughout the whole week, from 11 to 17 November.
Jerez de la Frontera, considered the cradle of Flamenco, organised a special programme with more than thirty educational, cultural and participatory activities, with a special focus on schoolchildren and elderly people for International Flamenco Day.
🎭 Featured programme for International Flamenco Day 2024 in Jerez
🏛️ Main events on Saturday 16 November
Saturday 16 November was the main day of the celebration of International Flamenco Day 2024 in Jerez, with numerous free events that filled the streets and cultural spaces of Jerez:
12:30 pm
- El Pasaje with Carmen Moncada, Daily Fuguet, Álvaro Valle and Jesús Agarrado
1:00 pm
- Performance by Eva del Cristo and her group
1:45 pm
- Performance by Melchora Ortega and her groupPlaza del Banco
3:00 pm
- Flamenco Tabanco La Cruz Vieja group with Patri Manes, Carmen Ortiz and Thiago Vazquez
6:30 pm
- Reading of the Flamenco Manifesto by Joaquín López Bustamante
- Palacio de Villavicencio,
7:15 pm
- Award for Enthusiasm granted by the Local Federation of Flamenco Clubs of Jerez to Manuel MontoroPalacio de Villavicencio,
8:00 pm
- Concert by José Mercé – 'El Oripandó'Teatro Villamarta
🕺📚Activities in the days before International Flamenco Day 2024 in Jerez (11-15 November)
The week leading up to
International Flamenco Day 2024 in Jerez was also full of flamenco activities:
11 Nov
- Flamenco for our elderly – Residence
San José Reception Centre
12 Nov
- Lecture: '20 years without La Paquera de Jerez' with Joaquín El Zambo and Antonio Higuero
13 November
- Dance MasterClass on YouTube
13 November
- Intensive Cante Jondo workshop with José de los Camarones
15 Nov
- FLAMENKOLÉ – Flamenco street parade with 250 schoolchildren
15 November
- Pepe Alconchel Flamenco Gathering with Luis El Zambo and Nono Jero
🍷Tabancos and tablaos: the most authentic Flamenco for International Flamenco Day 2024 in Jerez
Throughout the week, the emblematic tabancos of Jerez offered daily flamenco shows:
Tabanco El Pasaje
- 2:00 pm, 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm (daily)
Tabanco La Feria
Tablao Puro Arte
- 1010:00 pm daily / 4:00 pm Tue & Thu / 7:00 pm Thu-Sun
🎨 Other notable activities for International Flamenco Day 2024 in Jerez
- Guitar exhibition: Sunday 17 November, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, at the Palacio de Villapanés, with prestigious guitar makers exhibiting their creations.
- Photographic exhibition 'La Luz Escrita' by Ramón San Pablo, available throughout the week.
- Programme at the La Yerbabuena Social Centre with exhibitions, round tables and flamenco vinyl sessions.
- Activities in the Santiago neighbourhood, with balconies decorated with song lyrics and neighbourhood gatherings.
🌍 What is flamenco and why is it a World Heritage Site?
Flamenco is a unique artistic expression resulting from the fusion of vocal music, the art of dance and musical accompaniment, known respectively as cante, baile and toque. Its cradle is Andalusia, although it also has roots in other regions such as Murcia and Extremadura.
📜 UNESCO recognition (2010)
UNESCO highlighted several aspects to justify its declaration:
- Flamenco is an identifying sign of numerous groups and communities.
- The Roma community has played an essential role in its evolution.
- Transmission takes place within dynasties of artists, families, flamenco clubs and social groups.
- It is performed on the occasion of religious festivals, rituals, sacramental ceremonies and private parties.
🕺 The main "palos" or styles of flamenco
Alegrías
- Transmits joy, delight, elegance, coquettishness and seduction
Bulerías
- Humorous, fast style, typical for closing performances
Fandangos
- One of the most important styles within Flamenco
Sevillanas
- Gallant dance where seduction plays an important role
Tangos
- One of the most typical and fundamental styles
Soleares
- Expresses depth and restrained emotion
Cantiña
- The most precise dance form from the Cádiz area
You cannot miss the Jerez Flamenco Festival and discover both its magic and its authentic Flamenco Dresses.
🏛️ What does International Flamenco Day mean for Seville and Andalusia?
For Seville and all of Andalusia, International Flamenco Day is a date of deep significance. It represents:
- World recognition for an art born in its streets and courtyards.
- The reaffirmation of Andalusian identity and its ability to move the world.
- A boost for the dissemination and preservation of Flamenco among new generations.
- A meeting point for established artists, young talents and aficionados.
The Culture delegate of Jerez, Francisco Zurita, stressed that the 2024 programme "has a strong social focus and seeks, especially for schoolchildren and the elderly, to highlight a tradition that is part of their lives and their cultural identity".
🏡 THE SUN PLACES: Experience Flamenco from the Heart of Seville
At THE SUN PLACES, we know that flamenco is the soul of Andalusia. That is why we invite you to experience this passion from the comfort and elegance of our Luxury Apartments in Seville.
🌟 Our proposal for Flamenco lovers
- Strategic accommodation: Our apartments are located in the most emblematic neighbourhoods of Seville — Santa Cruz, Triana, El Arenal — the cradle of the most authentic Flamenco.
- Flamenco concierge: Our local team will recommend the most authentic Flamenco Tablaos and flamenco clubs in the city, avoiding purely tourist circuits.
- Exclusive experiences: We organise Flamenco nights in intimate tablaos with top‑level artists, as well as routes through the Flamenco neighbourhoods of Triana and Santa Cruz.
- The perfect retreat: After a night of duende, return to a space of tranquillity and elegance where you can rest and share the experience.
- Tasting and Flamenco: We combine deep art with Andalusian cuisine: a Jerez wine tasting followed by a private show.
"International Flamenco Day is the perfect opportunity to discover the art that made the world vibrate. At THE SUN PLACES, we open the doors of Seville for you to experience Flamenco from the heart, with the luxury and comfort you deserve."
📞 Contact THE SUN PLACES to book your luxury apartment in Seville and get ready to experience duende all year round.