Juan Manuel Fernández Montoya 'Farruquito'

[Estela Zatania]

Judging from the media turnout this afternoon at the four-star hotel in the heart of Triana's old Cava district where Seville 's gypsies were once concentrated, you'd have thought they were awaiting the arrival of some powerful head of state or a Hollywood star.

But the object of so much expectation by local, national and even foreign press was flamenco dancer Farruquito. The absence of media specialized in flamenco, precisely here in the capital of Andalusia where they abound, felt rather like a sad lack of support from the very world where Farruquito moves and works, but the sudden downpour shortly before the appointed time may have been a factor.

The press conference had been called at the express wishes of the man-boy who has been revolutionizing flamenco dance for some years now, in order to address the topic of his recent arrest in relation to a traffic accident in which a 35-year-old man was killed. Putting to the test all the bravery, discipline and integrity he exhibits so convincingly on stage, he answered a series of questions. In the audience were Manuel Molina who has an important role in Farruquito's work «Alma Vieja», and La Farruca, the dancer's mother.

«The responsibility makes you mature,
but it also leaves you vulnerable.»

He began directly begging the forgiveness of the victim's family «even though they see me as the devil personified» adding that he found it perfectly normal the widow was demanding the maximum jail term. The dancer's face, as was to be expected, reflected the terrible weight of the deeds, and with customary shyness and a voice that was barely audible he fielded journalists' questions. When it was suggested that he might have been ill-advised throughout this affair, he answered that at 21 he is the only individual responsible for his own actions. He claimed to have only a very vague memory of the moment of the accident and denied having blamed his brother at any point. He admitted having tried out other cars «like everyone else» despite never having had a license.

The most relevant question, as far as flamenco goes, was whether he would continue to perform: «I have to keep going even though I have no desire to dance…a lot of people depend on me». In actual fact the income of more than twenty individuals depends directly on Farruquito. When asked how so much responsibility in one so young affected him, he answered «the responsibility makes you mature, but it also leaves you vulnerable».