Page 23 - All About History - Issue 70-18

4 FAMOUS…
How not to... view flamenco
It is important to understand flamenco’s Franco’s regime believed flamenco to FLAMENCO
status as being reflective of Andalusian, be useful in attracting visitors to Spain
Extremaduran and Murcian culture. For and the efforts to ‘rebrand’ were found in DANCERS
after the civil war of 1936 to 1939, Spanish contemporary culture.
dictator Francisco Franco adopted flamenco A notable film – the beautifully-told
as a national rather than regional dance musical drama, Los Tarantos – drew upon
in a bid to repress the country’s cultural flamenco for its narrative, for instance,
diversity. It led to the secret police clamping while being set among Barcelona’s
down on flamenco concerts and gatherings Gitano, thereby underlining the national
which it felt were a display of lower-class perspective. It was little wonder that,
dissent. After all, flamenco had long been following Franco’s death, steps began to
used by socially marginalised communities be taken to reclaim flamenco and it was
to send out a political message. revitalised during the 1980s
CARMEN AMAYA

BARCELONA, SPAIN, 1913 1963

Dubbed her generation’s greatest
Spanish gypsy dancer, Amaya
mastered fast footwork usually
associated with male dancers.

JOSE GRECO
MONTORIO NEI FRENTANI,

MOVE THOSE ARMS TWIST THE WRISTS ITALY, 1918 2000
Now move on to the braceo – the way you move your Turn your wrists and move your fingers, opening and Greco popularised flamenco in the
US during the 1950s and 1960s.
03arms. Pull your shoulders back and position your hands 04 closing your hands to the rhythm of the music. Hand
in front of your belly, ensuring your shoulders are pointing and finger movement in combination with arm movements
out starkly from your sides. Lift your arms in a wide, natural, should feel natural. The idea is that the fingers are also dancing
smooth circular motion, twisting and turning your hands until and that you’re feeling the emotional intensity. Men tend to
your fingers almost touch way above your head. keep their fingers closed while women separate them.

VICENTE ESCUDERO

VALLADOLID, SPAIN, 1892 1980
Escudero was criticised for his
refusal to adhere to the rules but
his style is said to be one of the
most natural.

SHIFT YOUR HIPS WEAR YOUR EXPRESSION
Continue the movements with your arm and your feet. Your head movements and facial expressions are also MATILDA GONZALEZ
05 You can place your hands on your hips, ensuring the 06 important and they are indicative of el duende, the
elbows are pointing out at the side. Move your hips in time to heightened state of emotion and authenticity. Listen out for the SEVILLE, SPAIN, 1935 PRESENT
In 1975, Matilda Coral was awarded
the music and be as spontaneous as you like. Flamenco is as music and turn your head in time with the rhythm, doing what
the golden key of flamenco dance, © Ed Crooks, Alamy
romantic as it is emotional, entertaining and run so feel free to you feel is right. Flamenco is difficult to master so don’t worry if the Llave de oro de Baile – the only
be sensual in your moves. you don’t get it right first time. You’ll soon connect. person to receive the accolade.

23