FERIA MUNDIAL DEL FLAMENCO

One of the
smaller rooms was the center of attention for one very flamenco hour with
the show put on by the Federación Provincial de Entidades Flamencas
which included Granada singer Luis Heredia ‘El Polaco’, an
excellent group of young people and amateurs from Marchena and the dynamic
festera singer Inmaculada Rivero.

Fernando de la Morena & Moraíto

In the early afternoon the town of Lebrija offered its show in honor
of singer Juan José Vargas «El Chozas». There was a
recital of «jóvenes intérpretes» (young hopefuls)
presented by the municipal government of El Arahal, and the presentation
of the soon to be premiered work «Inmigración» which
represents a return to social and political content in staged flamenco
as popularized by dancer Mario Maya during the transition from the Franco
era in the 1970’s.

The icing on the great flamenco cake was put by none other than Jerez
guitarist Moraíto with the splendid singing of veteran singer Fernando
de la Morena, also from Jerez, and talented young singer Jesús
Méndez. A huge ovation for Moraíto’s guitar solo,
‘cantes de trilla’ by Fernando who learned these work songs
firsthand in the fields and always gives them a masterly touch, in addition
to soleá and fandango with that unmistakable style of his. Jerez
came to the fair and filled the huge pavilion with its sound. To call
the finale «original» would be a gross understatement. A magnificent
horse and rider appeared out of nowhere and a young woman danced flirted
with them to the sound of the guitar while the horse pranced in rhythm.
Is it possible what they say is true? That everyone in Jerez has compás?
No matter how you slice it, it was spectacular, no point in pretending
otherwise…

Paso a tres

With the doors of the Feria finally closed until next year, the organizers
tallied up 25,000 visitors for this third edition. According to the press
release «the combination of the Feria Mundial del Flamenco and the
World Music Festival WOMEX has been very positive from the standpoint
of international programmers and general audiences attending the showcases,
and we’ve managed to reinforce the prime objective which is the
globalization of flamenco and the development of an actual industry that
includes flamenco and everything associated with it».

Luis Heredia 'El Polaco'

That’s all well and good. But the real ‘fin de fiesta’,
the one that made the day and reminded us all that flamenco continues
to be more an art than a product, took place in the cafeteria area where
Bernarda de Utrera delighted a circle of admirers with her singing and
dancing shortly before the closing of the Third Feria Mundial del Flamenco.

Third day, October 25th:

Second day, October 24th:

First day, October 23rd:

Text & photos: Estela Zatania