A jury is, or should be, always sovereign. And I know that here, in the festival of Cante Flamenco from Lo FerroIt always is. The director and the management team are meticulous about this. They allow the jury complete freedom to work and decide. But, of course, that doesn't mean the jury can't make a mistake in their choice. Well, perhaps the word "mistake" isn't quite right. Let's say, then, that perhaps their opinion and preference don't coincide with that of other people. For example, with mine. And yes, I'm relying on my own opinion, which on this occasion doesn't entirely align with the jury's. I dare say that, as far as I know, better people have been left behind than those who reached the final and won the various prizes.
But really, there's nothing to say against the winner of the prestigious Golden Melon, the veteran and talented flamenco singer from Cordoba Francisco OconAlready with many awards under his belt. Nor do I want to mention—the list of saints. flamenco I'm afraid that those who won other awards are worse than those who didn't make it. I simply want to explain that, personally, I liked some of those who didn't reach the final, or even the semi-final, more, and that in some cases, given their youth, they may contribute more in the future and, consequently, bring more prestige to the festival.
But let's leave that aside. Each jury has its own tastes and criteria, and that must be respected. And it must be acknowledged that throughout its history, Lo Ferro has showcased excellent artists. Its 46th edition, which has been magnificent, has now concluded. Each year, this competition, held in a small neighborhood of Roldán, in the municipality of Torre Pacheco (Murcia), takes another step forward. This year's program was packed with cultural activities of all kinds, including debates, conferences, and poetry readings, as well as a twinning agreement with the municipality of San Fernando (Cádiz), the birthplace of the great Camarón.
"Today, new fans, young people, experience these events not so much as a competition but as a festival, that is, as a series of shows, sometimes featuring well-known artists, who are usually the real draw. The international Lo Ferro festival has also adapted to this. This is the first year without Fosforito at this happily rural and diverse event. A touch of melancholy because everything comes to an end. Hope for the future."
But at the heart of it all has been the constant tribute paid to the master Antonio Fernandez Diaz, Phosphorite, recently deceased, and always present at these events with his wife, Maribel, a flamenco dancer, his lifelong companion. Some of his children were also present. In the Sebastian Escudero TheaterThe center of all cultural activity, a space has been opened that will bear the name of the late flamenco singer, and throughout the week videos of Fosforito conversing with other people have been shown. The unforgettable artist flamenco He was the creator of Ferreña more than 25 years ago, and today it is a palo established and one of the festival's main prizes, after the Golden Melon. It was an express request from the festival through its founder, Sebastian Escuderowhich Fosforito created with a Malaga flair. Traditions can be created.
The master is no longer in this world, but his memory and his work will remain forever in the history of cante jondo. That boy who sang to survive in the taverns of his town, Puente Genil, and who then swept the Córdoba Competition in the fifties, and of whom I have always said that He sang like a desperate child. Forever, Fosforito.
But let's return, to conclude, to the topic of competitions. This one in Lo Ferro is already one of the best. The one with the greatest impact and resonance continues to be the one in La Unión, the Festival of Cante of the Mineswhich also covers all flamenco disciplines. But perhaps Lo Ferro is behind it all. However, times have changed. Today, new fans, young people, experience these events not so much as a competition but as a festival, that is, as a series of shows, sometimes with media-savvy artists, who are usually the real draw. The international Lo Ferro festival has also adapted to this. First year without Fosforito at this happily rural and diverse event. Melancholy because everything ends. Hope for the future. ♦
