In 1982, the National Institute of Flamenco It was founded by Eva Enciniaswith a rich family and popular history that supported that beginning. In these four decades, the great effort of Eva and her family gave birth to the Flamenco Albuquerque Festival (New Mexico, United States), the largest and longest-running event of its kind outside of Spain. Since then, the Institute has organized numerous social and educational projects, and endured some misfortunes such as a large fire that destroyed much of the organization's headquarters, or the cursed Covid that forced the Festival program to be held virtually online.
Now, the cruelest blow: a substantial financial contribution previously granted by National Endowment of the Arts It has been revoked. According to the NEA, "the decision was made to redirect the funds toward projects aligned with new federal priorities." The project of Flamenco The Albuquerque Festival, despite its historic reach, international partnerships, and deep connection to the Hispanic and New Mexican communities, was deemed not aligned with those priorities, according to a brief statement of protest posted online yesterday by Marisol Encinias, current director of the Festival.
The news has fallen like a bucket of cold water on the event with less than two months to go until the start of the 38th edition of the historic event.
“I want to assure you that the festival is still on as planned. We are actively appealing the decision and working hard to raise the necessary funds to close the gap. We are strong and we will get through this, especially with the support of those who love and value the arts” (Marisol Encinias)
<scan>I remember now those years in the 1970s, the rising popularity of these summer flamenco festivals in Spain, when admission would typically cost 500 pesetas (3 euros or $3.40), which seemed like a fortune to us at the time, considering that performers in a tablao didn’t even earn that much per night. These festivals became fashionable, and even with very long lineups featuring top stars in singing, dancing, or guitar, salaries were high. There were really no significant subsidies or sponsorships.</scan>
The onset of the peñaflamenco sThese events, which then sprang up like beans in autumn, reinforced local enthusiasm and pride, giving rise to a shared and unstoppable cultural sensibility unlike anything that had existed before. The organization of these events was left in the hands of municipal authorities and officials, often without any clear criteria.
The withdrawal of funding for the Alburquerque Flamenco Festival, which has not been the only private event recently affected by the loss of public financial support, is a sad step backward for flamenco and for the community as a whole. Some heartfelt words from Marisol Encinias:
"Thank you all for your incredible support. I want to assure you that the festival is moving forward as planned. We are actively appealing the decision and working hard to raise the necessary funds to close the gap. We are strong, and we will get through this, especially with the support of those who love and value the arts."
