Interview with Sara Baras

A few weeks ago the winners in the different
categories of the National Dance Prize for 2003
were announced. Flamenco dancer Sara Baras and
choreographer Nacho Duato were awarded this distinction
in the respective specialties of Interpretation
and Creation.

Sara, where were you
when you got the news that you had won the National
Dance Prize for 2003?
I was at a press conference where we were presenting
the release of the DVD I just made for Sonymusic
of a live performance of “Mariana Pineda”
at Madrid’s Calderón Theater.

And what was your first
reaction?
I was tremendously proud, you can imagine, and
then I was overcome with emotion.

The prize for creativity
went to Nacho Duato, what do you think about that?
Even that’s incredible. For me, Nacho Duato
is a marvelous interpreter and choreographer.
His work at the Compañía Nacional
de Danza is wonderful and his dancers have a fantastic
level. My prize means even more knowing that I
received it along with him. I greatly admire him
as a choreographer.

Have you heard any
news about public reaction to the DVD of “Mariana
Pineda”?
We made the list of best-selling Spanish DVDs,
which is an achievement. The other day I went
to buy some copies to give to friends and it was
all sold out, three days after its release.

Now
that you’ve assimilated the whole thing,
how do you feel?
I don’t even have time to savor all the
excitement. For a long time now the emotion and
the important changes in my career have been coming
at an astonishing speed. The beginning of October
I closed the Cervantino festival with Chavela
Vargas, that was a great honor for me, I filmed
an ad for Cruzcampo beer with the maestro Paco
de Lucía, my DVD with Sony came out, I
received the National Dance prize, my plate is
full, what more can I ask?

How are the shows going
with “Mariana Pineda”?
It couldn’t be doing better. We’ve
done 325 performances since the work was debuted
at the last Bienal de Flamenco in Sevilla, and
still 15 more to go before the end of the year.
2004 is all booked and we have dates right through
to 2005…I can’t believe it!

“Flamenco
is the one single thing that most represents our
culture, and I don’t think government has
realized that yet”

Let’s talk about
the company. What’s the overall evaluation
since the beginning, until the present?
My company is the most important thing in the
world to me. We’re one big family. Some
people have been with me since the beginning,
and we’ve kept all the original members
since Mariana Pineda premiered. It’s great
to be able to count on them, I got an extraordinary
team. Each and every one of them fills me with
satisfaction every day. Being a company that is
a hundred percent privately financed, it’s
not easy to maintain the three wonderful guest
artists I have, José Serrano, Luis Ortega
and Miguel Cañas, and all the rest of the
group, the musicians and the technicians, with
their incredible dedication and passion for the
art.

With regard to flamenco
in general, what do you think of today’s
panorama?
I think we’ve got a long way to go. We need
schools, classes, contact. Flamenco is the one
single thing that most represents our culture,
and I don’t think government has realized
that yet. Flamenco is more famous outside Andalusia
than in, and it’s one of the best-known
aspects of Spain throughout the world.

Do you think public
institutions give it the attention it deserves?
Absolutely not. Public support is insufficient
in every respect!

How
important is flamenco for Spain’s tourism,
in particular for Andalusia?
It ought to be the main draw for tourism, but
I don’t know if I approve of how they’re
handling this. You can be sure that in addition
to the architectural marvels that exist all over
Andalusia, and the natural beauty of the landscape,
flamenco represents the region in every way. It
would be wonderful if we had the means to put
great shows together for tourists who come to
Spain so they don’t get the impression that
flamenco is just for foreign tourists. Flamenco
is an important part of our culture, our most
profoundly felt identity.

What does the National
Dance Prize mean for the world of flamenco?
Other flamenco artists have received it before
me: Antonio Gades, Cristina Hoyos, María
Pagés, Antonio Canales. I hope it acts
as yet another stimulus for people who love this
art.

What does the prize
mean for you personally?
More responsibility. I want to dance better and
better every day, and continue to be worthy of
this honor.

Many young people nowadays
want to go into this profession. What would you
say to them?
That they should be aware that it takes dedication,
discipline and sacrifice. You have to work very
hard and nothing comes easy. You have to sweat
plenty and be open to learning something new every
day.

Five words that describe
the present world of flamenco dance.
Strength. Passion. Soul. Depth. Discipline.

Any big plans in the
works?
Lots…but I’m not ready to reveal anything
yet.

To finish up, give brief
answers to the following:
Favorite color……………………the
sea of Cádiz.
Favorite dance costume……..
the simpler the better.
Favorite place to be…………...any
Cádiz beach.
Favorite food…………………….my
mom’s bean stew.
What do you miss?……………Cádiz
Best friend………………………..time
to reflect upon things.
Partner?…………………………..the
pair of ears that hears me out every
day and the person who is always by my side.

Rocío
Acosta García
Original article in Spanish translated and
reprinted with permission: www.andaluciaturismodigital.com