“The Gender of Flamenco on Fire”

Text: José Manuel Gómez Gufi
Photos&video: Rafael Manjavacas

The fifth edition of the festival Flamenco On Fire was presented at the Corral de la Morería, and this year it’s dedicated to women. And this shows up on the poster; the design is nearly as important as proclaiming the equality between men and women. Mikel Urmeneta is the author of this “simple” idea that opens a path to the design.

This is a festival that takes on a lot of challenges. Flamenco in Pamplona? Anyone who’s seen the birth and growth of a festival can be proud of the number of difficulties that are overcome to carry out such a project. Presenter Eva H. from Segovia explained this in a light-hearted manner upon describing the festival’s director.

At first, it was “that dude”.
A bit later, “our friend Morán”.
And now it’s “good old Miguel”.

More or less the same can be said about Pamplona and flamenco whose only known connection was that Sabicas was born on Mañueta Street. Today, flamenco forms part of the city’s imagery and its politicians. The collaboration with the Federación de Asociaciones Gitanas Gaz Kaló, conferences and debates offered at the Baluarte, the growth of “El Flamenco en los Balcones” and the initiative of the jam session initiated last year and which highlighted the existence of a small flamenco community of musicians in a range of styles. This year includes the program “A la Mujer Flamenca”.

Between one thing and another, Pamplona will be “flamenco” starting mid-morning with special tapas, and that ought to be a lesson to those people who consider themselves to be in charge of flamenco because of their age, or for having been born in a certain place, or because of their race or gender.

At the presentation in Corral de la Morería, we were able to enjoy hearing some of the programmed performers. Singer Israel Fernández, who has been impressing fans for some time now, and has just released his first recording “Universo Pastora”, was accompanied by Carlos de Jacoba on guitar, more sedate than usual. Dancer Belén López belongs to the new generation that supports so-called “traditional” virtues of flamenco dance, that doesn’t incorporate modern dance. Nevertheless, she employs unusual footwork choreography. The astute reader will say that if what she does is dance, so be it.

The festival program begins August 21st with Mayte Martín and Belén Maya with “Tempo Rubato”. Quite an occasion since the collaboration of these two women dates back several years, and also because Mayte’s most recent recording is not specifically flamenco, which seems to indicate we’re in store for a very interesting encounter between Mayte and Belén and their respective modern calling. One way or another, we’ll have to see it.

On August 26th, the festival closes with an unusual “three for one”, three amazing guitarists and a voice, that of Diego El Cigala, and the guitars of Diego del Morao, Josemi Carmona and Paquete at the Baluarte, in addition to the above-mentioned Belén López at the 3 Reyes Hotel.

Program & ticket sales

Video: Israel Fernández & Carlos de Jacoba & Belén López & El Chispas.

 

 

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