El Institute of Almeria Studies (IEA) has presented the work Golden Half Century of the Flamenco. Lived from Almería, a publication that praises the role of the province of Almería in the development of art jondo for the past fifty years. The book, signed by Antonio Zapata, Agustín Molina and Alfredo Sánchez —known as the Alfredo Team—, compiles testimonies, experiences and memories that offer a direct and heartfelt look at one of the most fertile periods of the flamenco contemporary.
The presentation ceremony took place at the Julio Alfredo Egea Square and featured a subsequent performance by the dancer Anabel Veloso, accompanied by Rocio Zamora al cante y Gabriel Perez on the guitar. An artistic conclusion that linked the flamenco memories of the past with the living creation of the present.
During the event, the deputy for Culture, Cinema and Identity of Almería, Almudena Morales, highlighted the importance of this work as a reflection of the cultural identity of the province: "The flamenco It is part of our deepest roots. This work captures with rigor and sensitivity the mark that Almería has left on the history of flamenco from the 1970s to today."
«We are talking about a time that goes from the emergence of figures like Mairena or Fosforito to the loss of references like Camarón, Paco de Lucía, or Enrique Morente. Almería was very present in that process, more than is often acknowledged.
Alfredo Sánchez, representing the authors, emphasized that the purpose of the book is to share an insider's experience, rather than to construct an academic treatise. "We're talking about a time that spans from the emergence of figures such as Mairena o Phosphorite until the loss of references such as Camarón, Paco de Lucía o Enrique Morente"Almería was very present in that process, more than is often acknowledged, and we want to record that in these pages," he explained.
The publication, about 150 pages long, combines interviews, anecdotes and memories with a reflection on how the flamenco has evolved in formats, media, festivals and audiences. It also pays special attention to the Peña The Taranto, a key institution in the dissemination of flamenco in the province and in its projection beyond the local level.
After the presentation, Anabel Veloso offered a performance that sought to bridge the gap between the traditional and the modern. "We have put together a fresh and contemporary repertoire, with our own compositions that draw on the flamenco from the land and from great figures like Tomatito," said the dancer, accompanied by two artists also closely linked to the local scene.
With this new publication, the IEA reinforces its commitment to the dissemination and conservation of heritage. flamenco from Almeria.
