More than thirty shows at the IV Biennial of Flamenco from Cadiz, Jerez and Los Puertos

The Provincial Palace of the Cadiz Provincial Council has hosted the official presentation of the IV Biennial of Flamenco from Cadiz, Jerez and Los Puertos, which will be held from October 1 to November 30, 2025. This edition pays tribute to the Sanlúcar singer Maria Vargas, highlighting her legacy and the role of women in art flamenco.

The programming and news of this new edition have been presented by the director of the Biennial, Mario González, in an event that was also attended by the Deputy for Culture, Vanessa Beltran, and the delegate of the Government of the Junta de Andalucía in Cádiz, Tania Barcelona, as well as different representatives of the town councils of the localities that will host the Biennial, participating artists, with the honoree María Vargas, at the head, as well as representatives of the Provincial Federation of Peñas Flamencos.

The Biennial, which began in Jerez de la Frontera in 2019 under the direction of Mario González, manager of the legendary venue The Angel's Lair and music promoter, has grown to encompass nine locations: Cádiz, Jerez, San Fernando, Puerto Real, El Puerto de Santa María, Sanlúcar, Chiclana, Chipiona –which is joining this 2025 edition– and Algeciras. Each will host shows and parallel activities, such as conferences, exhibitions, presentations and workshops, as well as a tribute dinner to María Vargas at the Vargas sale, in San Fernando.

Vanesa Beltrán, the Deputy for Culture, was the first to open the round of statements, commenting that from the Provincial Council of Cádiz "we will continue to defend our cultural roots. Together with the Regional Government of Andalusia we have to preserve something as much ours as the flamenco, give space to new artists, alongside established ones, to support them." In addition, he highlighted María Vargas's "career full of sacrifice, full dedication and defending the world of flamenco".

"I want to encourage young people not to give up now. The flamenco "It's part of our roots, part of our culture, and it must not be lost. The day I leave, may this continue until the end of time." (María Vargas)

For her part, Tania Barcelona considered the Biennial to be “an event that goes beyond the artistic to become a complete, 360-degree cultural experience.” Regarding María Vargas, she stated that “it is one of the great voices of the last century. Her courage has served to leave a legacy and a mark that the new generations collect today,” adding that “woman and flamenco They have always gone hand in hand and in this Biennial they are once again the protagonists.”

Mario González, director of the Biennial, thanked María Vargas for accepting the Biennial's invitation to be the honored artist in this edition, highlighting that it is done "for María's role in the flamenco during the golden age. She will remember those happy moments she enjoyed, but also feeling a bit strange in her own home." González also thanked the institutions, the Regional Government, the Provincial Council, and the chairs of flamencoCádiz and Jerez Biennial and the artists for trusting in the Biennial of Cádiz, Jerez and Los Puertos. “The Biennial is here and is here to stay,” he emphasized.

Finally, María Vargas expressed her “great joy and gratitude” as she felt “satisfied to receive these recognitions, which thank God I am receiving in life,” in addition to feeling “proud of myself cante flamenco and gypsy”The singer also left a message for the youth who are committed to flamenco, whom he encouraged "not to give up now; it's part of our roots, part of our culture, and it shouldn't be lost. The day I leave, may this continue until the end of time."

Vanesa Beltrán, María Vargas and Mario Jiménez. Presentation of the IV Biennial of Flamenco from Cadiz, Jerez, and the Ports. Photo: Biennial

More than thirty shows and parallel activities

As for the Biennial's programming, and with the lineup for El Puerto de Santa María yet to be finalized, for yet another edition, young talents will have a prominent role alongside established artists. Thus, in Cádiz, the following will be presented: Anabel Rivera, Macarena Ramírez and Carlos CarbonellSan Fernando will have Rafael Romero, Alba Bazán and Raquel VillegasChiclana will receive Encarna Anillo and Leo PowerSanlúcar will be the stage for María Vargas and Abel AranaPuerto Real will host performances of Pedro the Granaíno, Sandra Carrasco, David de Arahal, Rocío Fantova, Macarena Ramírez and Carlos Carbonell, in addition to a lecture by the journalist and critic flamenco Manuel Martin MartinAlgeciras will present the guitarist Alba Espert and a conference of Joaquin Lopez BustamanteChipiona, which is joining as a venue for this edition, will have JJose de los Camarones, Vanesa Reyes and Aurora CaraballoFinally, in Jerez, they will perform José Méndez, José Carpio 'El Mijita' and Elena Arias, along with the conferences of Jose Maria Castano y Juan Garrido.

The Sanlúcar show, headlined by María Vargas, will serve as a tribute to the artist born in Sanlúcar de Barrameda in 1947. She comes from a Romani family with a deep flamenco tradition. From an early age, she displayed exceptional talent, debuting at the age of nine and earning recognition in the National Art Competition. Flamenco of Córdoba in 1959. Throughout her career, she has shared the stage with figures such as Manolo Sanlúcar and Paco de Lucía, and has been awarded various prizes and awards, one of the most notable being the Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts in 2019.