The new premises for Alegria Academia in Valley Road, Birkirkara, was recently inaugurated by Spanish Ambassador Maria Isabel Vicandi.

Ms Vicandi spoke about the close ties Malta has with Spain, both currently and historically. She added that political, socio-demographic, geographic, business and culture ties link the two nations.

Founder of the flamenco school Rosana Maya welcomed the guests and announced to all that the school is to be run by her former student and assistant Ingrid Sciberras, who in turn thanked both Nicola Henson and Ms Maya for entrusting her with this responsibility.

She said she hoped that Alegria would thrive and grow, continuing the vision begun by Ms Maya in 1999.

The ambassador offered her best wishes for the future of Alegria and said she hoped the embassy of Spain and the academy would continue to collaborate.

The party concluded with the customary juerga (spontaneous flamenco) with guitarist El Tiburon and friends and students of the academy.