Portugal and Spain’s rich past have left them a wealth in art and culture. An astounding number of UNESCO World Heritage sites c
elebrate both natural and human made wonders while museums display acclaimed collections of works of art. It’s impossible to see or experience it all in one visit.
This is the land of Picasso and Dalí… the land of the Flamenco and the Fado. Literary works which have given us Don Quixote and Álvaro de Campos comes to life here. The atmosphere which inspired so much creativity is contagious and you will discover it yourself as you explore this beautiful region.
Enjoy Flamenco while you are in Spain. Flamenco is a Spanish musical genre with strong, rhythmic undertones and is often accompanied with a similarly impassioned style of dance characterized by its powerful yet graceful execution, as well as its intricate hand and footwork. Flamenco embodies a complex musical and cultural tradition.
Although considered part of the culture of Spain in general, flamenco actually originates from one region: Andalusia. However, other areas, mainly Extremadura and Murcia, have contributed to the development of several flamenco musical forms, and a great number of renowned flamenco artists have been born in other territories of the state.
The roots of flamenco are not precisely known, but it is generally acknowledged that flamenco grew out of the unique interplay of native Andalusian, Islamic, Sephardic, and Gypsy cultures that existed in Andalusia prior to and after the Reconquest. Latin American and especially Cuban influences have also been important in shaping several flamenco musical forms. Once the seeds of flamenco were planted in Andalusia, it grew as a separate subculture, first centered in the provinces of Seville, Cádiz and part of Málaga, but soon spreading to the rest of Andalusia, incorporating and transforming local folk music forms. As the popularity of flamenco extended to other areas, other local Spanish musical traditions would also influence, and be influenced by, the traditional flamenco styles. Additional information found here.
