On Saturday evening, Alhaurín de la Torre will once again resound with the traditional voice of Andalusia. In the magical surroundings of the Finca El Portón municipal auditorium, the 51st edition of Torre del Cante – one of the oldest and most revered flamenco festivals – will take place not only in Málaga, but in the whole of Andalusia.
Pleiades of flamenco stars
Torre del Cante will begin on 21 June (Saturday) – punctually at 9pm – at Finca El Portón (Juan Carlos I, s/n, 29130 Alhaurín de la Torre) in Málaga. The event is far more than a concert – it is a living testimony to a culture, tradition and emotion that has attracted artists and audiences from all over the world for more than half a century. This year’s edition will be another installment of a true feast of the senses – and not just for flamenco lovers.
Over the years, we have admired the most important flamenco figures of recent decades on the El Portón stage. Among the names and nicknames, it is worth mentioning artists such as: El Cabrero, El Chino, Capullo de Jerez, Marina Heredia, Luisa Palicio, Esperanza Fernández, El Pele, La Caseta de Málaga, Aurora Vargas, Fosforito, El Lebrijano, José Menese, Chocolate, Camarón de la Isla, Manuela Carrasco, José Mercé, Juan Villar, Pansequito, Juana Amaya, La Macanita, Carmen Linares, El Mimbre or Naranjito de Triana.
The Torre del Cante festival will see the return to the stage of José Mercé, a legend from Jerez whose voice combines the depth of the cante jondo with a modern sensibility. The master’s comeback is a guarantee of magic that can stop time. Alongside him will be Argentina, a singer from Huelva who combines traditional fandangos with Cuban rhythms, presenting the latest repertoire from her album 'Mi Idilio con La Habana’.
Antonio Reyes, heir to great artists – such as Jarrito and Pansequito – will also be on stage. His style, deeply rooted in classic flamenco, evokes the memory of the golden era of this unique phenomenon. Also coming from Granada will be Luis Heredia, or „El Polaco” – an artist whose modern approach to flamenco is gaining increasing recognition. The younger generation will be represented by Iván Segura – 'Chaskío’ – winner of the prestigious Mirando a la Torre competition and a promising talent who is already attracting attention.
Definitely more than music
Flamenco is not only music, it is also baile – a dance full of expression and stories without words. This year, it will be presented by Pastora Galván, a charismatic dancer from Seville, who combines her family heritage (she comes from the legendary Galván family) with a modern stage form. She will be accompanied by guitarist El Perla and singers Antonio Villar and Miguel Lavi – artists of the highest calibre, together with Galván creating a show that will be remembered for a long time.
The Torre del Cante festival is a symbol of local identity and culture. Since 1973, it has brought together some of the biggest names in the flamenco world, and the event itself has been recognised as a Fiesta de Singularidad Turística Provincial, i.e. of touristic importance in Andalusia. After years of varied formats, the organisers – Peña Flamenca Torre del Cante and the municipality of Alhaurín de la Torre – have decided to return to their roots of one night, one stage and the pure essence of flamenco. The event will be hosted by Gonzalo Rojo, a respected journalist and expert in the genre.
See also:
Tickets for the Torre del Cante festival
Hot flamenco temperament on the Costa del Sol
Abanico andaluz. Where did the fan tradition in Spain come from?
Flamenco is an art that you feel
Flamenco is said to be the language of emotion. You don’t need to know the words to understand its message. The dancers express their feelings with the movement of their hands, arms and the clatter of their heels, or el taconeo. They often use fans, flowers, long dresses with frills and colourful scarves to complete the narrative.
Flamenco dancing, singing and music have been passed down from generation to generation, living on in homes, schools and peñas flamencas – clubs run by enthusiasts. Their history can be traced back to the 19th century and the cafés cantantes – art cafes where the art of flamenco gained wider recognition. Today, flamenco is not only part of Spain’s heritage, but also its national pride and a tourist attraction.
It is impossible to talk about flamenco without mentioning the Gitanos – the Spanish Roma whose history and culture permeated the genre on a spiritual level. Their influence, combined with Moorish, Jewish, Arab and Latin American traditions, created a unique mosaic of sounds or gestures. Today, flamenco is the fruit of artistic bohemianism and folkloric authenticity – born of emotion: rebellion, love and suffering.
Flamenco is divided into cante chico – joyful, dance-like pieces – and cante jondo – deep, dramatic singing that reaches into the soul. During the Torre del Cante festival, both of these currents have their place and intertwine to create an emotional performance. The styles of flamenco are many – soleares, tientos, tangos, rumba gitana – each carrying a different story and energy. During local ferias, such as the Feria de Agosto in Malaga in August, flamenco reverberates in the streets, in homes and on stages. It is the dance of life – joyful, rebellious, melancholic.
