[attach id=249362 size="medium"]Deborah Falzon, Laura Bonello, Ingrid Sciberras, Ariane Azzopardi and Shezheen Cassum (standing) and Joanna Vella, Ema Marie Attard and Justine Lanzon.[/attach]

The XVII Flamenco Festival this year hosted six representatives from Malta’s Alegria Academia, including scholarship winner Justine Lanzon.

The festival was held some weeks ago in the Spanish town of Jerez de la Frontera, famous for its sherry and horses.

“The festival has become an annual event for us,” said group leader Ingrid Sciberras. “During these two weeks Jerez becomes alive with flamenco dancers who travel there to attend courses and to indulge in daily performances and lectures given by the greatest maestros of flamenco dance, song and guitar.”

The list of flamenco masters this year included Farruquito, Maria Del Mar Moreno, Antonio Marquez, La Truco, Eva la Yerbabuena and Rocio Molina, all respected names in international flamenco circles.

The Maltese students (who included an Indian national) attended workshops with Manuel Liñan, Marco Flores and Jose Galvan. They also participated in a flash mob led by Maria del Mar Moreno, who will be performing at the Manoel Theatre on May 25 and 26. Alegria Academia has been participating in this festival for the past 13 years.