2010 Poster (1.1mb)
The first Bienial was celebrated in 1980, twenty years ago. It is the most prestigious and largest flamenco festival in the world.
In 1994, it lasted 18 days and consisted of over 30 performances, costing over 100.000.000 (£500.000) according to El Pais (10/09/94). It counted on the participation of over 200 of the most important artists of the day. Its importance is such that the Queen, Dona Sofia, not only visited the festival but breaking all protocol insisted on remaining until well after 1.00am in order to chat with some of the artists.
The Bienial of 1994 was opened by the guitarist Manolo Salucar, the singer Enrique Morente and the dancer Mario Maya. The closure was sold out weeks before the start of the festival. The main responsibility of this closure fell on the shoulders of one man, Paco de Lucia and his group. Not for the last time, either.
In 2010, the artists involved are the most important of today, the list is too long to cite them all. You can find a programme here.
To see what is on offer in 2010 follow this link to this year’s bienial site.
