Flamenco dance, which originated among the gypsies of Northern India, has grown in popularity in Malta in recent years.

Gypsies expressed their emotion and hardship as travellers through this dance

The passionate character of the Maltese fits in perfectly with flamenco’s fiery form of expression.

The introduction of direct flights from Malta to Andalucia, Spain – considered the capital of flamenco – has helped the exposure of this dance to local audiences and, in fact, the number of followers has increased significantly in recent years.

Two local artists, Sharon Sapienza and Francesca Grima, have made a career out of flamenco and now live in Seville.

Alegria Academia and Dance Company has been working very hard to promote the flamenco culture. Over the past 10 years, it has organised several workshops and invited international flamenco artists to attract more people to this art form.

The company forms part of Jerez Puro Internacional, one of the most popular Spanish flamenco companies, which is based in Jerez de la Frontera.

Alegria encourages senior students to attend dance lessons in Spain and instructors travel regularly to Seville and Jerez to participate in courses and festivals, including the annual Festival de Jerez.

The company’s next event is titled Una Forma de Vivir (A Way of Life). Under the direction of Ingrid Sciberras, the show will predominantly feature flamenco but will also include belly dance and Argentine tango.

The title of the show is very meaningful for the art of flamenco as it is a well-known fact that flamenco is a way of life for Gitanos (gypsies) and anyone passionate about it. Gypsies expressed their emotion and hardship as travellers through this dance.

The event’s programme is divided in two. The first part, titled Vivir (To live), will see students performing various types and moods of flamenco dance. These will be choreographed by Ingrid Sciberras, Estelle Sant, Nicola Henson, Ursula Farrugia and Sara Bianchi. This part will also feature guest artist Jason Fabri on percussion.

Senior members will perform in the second part, titled Mujeres (Women).

Ten women will represent five different walks of life while another six dancers – led by the renowned Mavin Khoo and Estelle Sant – will represent the unity of us all. Sarah Spiteri will accompany the dancers on viola.

The other performers will be Angeles with her belly dance, while duo Mohab and Stephanie will present an Argentine tango.

• Una Forma de Vivir will be staged on December 1and 2 at the Salesian Theatre, Sliema. An art exhibition by Yasmin Modi, a display of jewellery by Yana Azzopardi and a presentation of wines, cheeses and hams by Made in Spain, will be held in the foyer of the theatre on both days of the performance. More information and tickets may be obtained from Ingrid Sciberras on 9949 5187 or e-mail: alegriamalta@gmail.com.

Know your flamenco

Media cover­age has brought flamenco to the world stage, but it essentially remains an intimate kind of music.

One of the most authentic flamenco nights one may experience is, in fact, a flamenco party (juerga) with a small group of friends somewhere in the south of Spain, when there is nothing around but the voice, the guitar and the body of a dancer moving in the moonlight. Here are some facts on the flamenco culture.

• Flamenco is a genuine southern Spanish art. It exists in three forms: cante, the song; baile, the dance; and guitarra, guitar playing.

• Gypsies are very often called the fathers of flamenco, and they played an important part in its creation.

• Between 1765 and 1860, the first flamenco schools were opened in Cadiz, Jerez de la Frontera and Triana (Seville). During this time, the dance started to feature in ballrooms. Early flamenco seems to have been purely vocal, accompanied only by rhythmical clapping of hands (toque de palmas). It was left to composers like Julián Arcas to introduce guitar playing.

• During its ‘golden age’ (1869-1910), flamenco developed in numerous music cafes (cafés cantantes) to its definitive form. The more serious forms, expressing deep feelings (cante jondo), date from this era. Guitar players accompanying the dancers increasingly gained a good reputation.

• From 1910 to 1955, flamenco singing was marked by the ópera flamenca, with an easier kind of music such as fandangos and cantes de ida y vuelta (roundtrip songs). The latter originated in the interplay between Spanish musical traditions and those of the African slaves and Native Americans

• From 1915 onwards, flamenco shows started being held all over the world.

• 1955 saw a sort of flamenco renaissance, with performer Antonio Mairena taking centre stage. Outstanding dancers and soloists soon made their way out of the small bars (tablaos) – successors to the early cafés cantantes – to the great theatres and concert houses.

• It was during this time that guitar players became great protagonists. The flamenco guitar which formerly just accompanied the dancers became a soloist art form. Great virtuosos like Paco de Lucia played an essential role in this development.

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