Extremadura mourns the loss of Francisco Zambrano Vázquez —popularly known as Paco Zambrano—, who died on July 29, 2025 At 77 years old, he suffered a cardiac arrest while on a beach in Cadiz. Born in Fuente de Cantos (Badajoz), he was a tireless researcher, disseminator and trainer dedicated to the study of flamenco Extremadura.
Zambrano had a degree in Teaching and Medicine and Surgery from the University of Seville and also a doctorate in Medicine from the University of Extremadura.. However, his true calling was flamencology, a discipline that he approached with rigor and passion, focusing his work on rescuing and documenting the canteand native touches of Extremadura, often marginalized or forgotten.
In 2009 he received the National Research Award in the Flamenco, recognition to which he dedicated part of his career to research and disseminate the figure of José Salazar 'Porrina de Badajoz', among other local creators. He was coordinator of the Extremadura Center of Flamenco and promoted tributes, monuments and dedication of streets in honor of Porrina, as a fundamental part of its effort to vindicate the regional flamenco memory.
«Paco Zambrano leaves a lasting legacy: a body of studies, books, education and transmission that ensures that the flamenco from his land remains alive and recognized"
Author of numerous publications, among his most notable works are Life and work of Porrina de Badajoz, Don José Pérez de Guzmán and his fandango, El flamenco Extremaduran in acrostics, as well as works on figures such as Manuel Infante (“the Boy from Fregenal”), Pepe Nieto (“the one from Orellana”) or José María Gallardo Ponce (“Pepe the Miller”).
In addition to his work as an author and researcher, Zambrano was a regular presence in regional media. He contributed for more than fifteen years to the program Between Palos and Moans of Canal Extremadura Radio, consolidating his role as a music promoter and mentor of new generations of fans and students of the flamenco.
His death has been received with deep sorrow by authorities and colleagues. The President of the Regional Government of Extremadura, Maria Guardiola, stated that “Paco Zambrano represented the best of our culture: the humility of the teacher who shares, the curiosity of the researcher, and the emotion of the artist.”. The Minister of Culture stressed that he is responsible for the official recognition of the Extremadura tangos and jaleos , the cantenatives of the region. The general secretary of the PSOE of Extremadura and the mayor of Badajoz also alluded to his essential contribution to local culture..
With his death, Extremadura loses a key figure in the preservation of cultural heritage. flamenco. Paco Zambrano leaves a lasting legacy: a body of studies, books, education and transmission that ensures that the flamenco from his land remains alive and recognized.
From expoflamencoWe accompany his family and friends in their grief.
