The 21th edition of Flamenco London Festival has concluded by consolidating its position as one of the leading international platforms for the flamenco outside of Spain, after an 18-day program that garnered widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics. Held from June 13 to 30, the festival registered an average occupancy of 80 percent and has gathered 15.400 spectators in an edition also marked by its territorial expansion with the incorporation, for the first time, of an extension in Manchester.
The program featured thirteen companies, nearly eighty artists, and a total of 21 performances spread between London and Manchester. Sadler's Wells Theatre has once again served as the epicenter of the festival, accompanied by Sadler's Wells East, Lilian Baylis Studio and Jazz Café in the British capital, while The Quays Theater and Lyric TheaterBoth venues in Lowry have hosted the performances scheduled in Manchester. As a new addition, the National Gallery of London It has also been incorporated into the festival spaces thanks to the collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes, strengthening the dialogue between the flamenco and other artistic disciplines in a cultural enclave of reference.
In addition to the public's response, there has been strong support from the specialized press, which has dedicated more than thirty reviews and articles to the Festival, published in 16 leading publications, including The Guardian, The Times, The Stage, Bachtrack, Gramilano, Seeing Dance o The Reviews Hub. With an average of five reviews per show and numerous top-rated ratingsThe edition has confirmed the growing interest of major British and international media outlets in a program that has brought together figures such as Jesús Carmona, Rocío Molina, Eva Yerbabuena, Manuel Liñán, Antonio Rey, Gerardo Núñez, El Perrete, Califato ¾ or Ballet Flamenco Andalusia, who will close the Festival this Monday in Manchester with the performance of Blessed land.
In the words of the event director, Miguel Marin, “each edition of Flamenco Festival London is special, but this year we experienced something truly extraordinary. We witnessed moments that will hardly ever be repeated: the thrill of seeing Eva Yerbabuena, Manuel Liñán, El Farru, Juan Tomás de la Molía, and Mara Rey all on the same stage at the Flamenco Gala; the state of pure trance that Rocío Molina left the audience in with 'Calentamiento'; the emotion of seeing the Jazz Café completely captivated, singing along to the protest version of the Anthem of Andalusia with Califato 3/4; the power of the Ballet Flamenco from Andalusia filling Sadler's Wells with 'Tierra Bendita'; or the magic of Patricia Guerrero dancing at the National Gallery, in dialogue with the exhibition dedicated to Zurbarán.”
These are moments that will forever be etched in the festival's history, the memories of the audiences who enjoyed it, and the London archives. And, as Marín points out, “all of this has been accompanied by the most extensive and enthusiastic press coverage in the festival's history: 32 reviews published, ten of which received the highest rating of five stars, the highest accolade that specialized critics can bestow. The media have described this edition as "Electrifying", "fierce", "glorious" or a true "masterclass of art" flamenco»But if there is one image that sums up this edition, it is the bustle at the exit of the performances, the excited conversations of the spectators sharing what they had just experienced and, night after night, the long ovations with the theater completely on its feet.”
"Each edition of Flamenco Festival London is special, but this year we experienced something truly extraordinary. We witnessed moments that will hardly ever be repeated. The thrill of seeing Eva Yerbabuena, Manuel Liñán, El Farru, Juan Tomás de la Molía, and Mara Rey all on the same stage at the Flamenco Gala. The state of pure trance that Rocío Molina left the audience in with 'Calentamiento' (Miguel Marín)
The shows have not only attracted the attention of specialized critics, but have also generated considerable interest among British audiences, where figures such as Eva Yerbabuena and Manuel Liñán have consolidated a recognized career with nominations and awards at the country's main dance awards: Yerbabuena was awarded the 2025 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for Yerbagüena (dark shiny), presented in this same context; and Liñán was nominated for the National Dance Awards in the United Kingdom and the Olivier Awards in 2022 for Live!which could also be seen at the festival.
Thus, the Flamenco Gala, a show in which they both participate and one of the most anticipated events of each edition of the Festival, was also one of the most applauded shows by specialized critics. Bachtrack defined it as a true "masterclass in art." flamenco"," while Gramilano highlighted it as "the most anticipated event" of Flamenco Festival London. The Stage, Broadway World, and Everything Theatre, which awarded the highest rating of five stars, all emphasized the excellence of a cast including Eva Yerbabuena, Manuel Liñán, El Farru, and Juan Tomás de la Molía, as well as the extraordinary artistic quality of an evening that combined tradition, virtuosity, and innovation. For its part, the Brighton Journal called it "a night to remember," reflecting the enthusiasm with which audiences and critics alike received this grand celebration of the flamenco.
It also received an excellent reception UnYdosThe latest show by Jesús Carmona. London Theatre and Gramilano awarded it the highest rating of five stars, while The Guardian, The Stage, and The Reviews Hub all highlighted the intensity and virtuosity of a production that explores the limits of flamenco contemporary without losing its roots. The Guardian praised a show performed "with brilliance and fire," while critics highlighted Carmona's stage presence, technical precision, and expressive ability.
Similarly, Rocío Molina reaffirmed her status as one of the great innovators of flamenco with HeatingThe production received five stars from both The Stage and Bachtrack. The Stage described the staging as "gloriously chaotic," while Bachtrack praised Molina as a "fierce and fearless" performer. The Guardian, for its part, called the show "an electrifying explosion of flamenco "punk," highlighting the dancer's artistic personality and ability to expand the boundaries of language. flamenco.
Likewise, specialized critics received it with interest. CreavivaRafaela Carrasco's work was praised by The Upcoming for the depth of its artistic discourse and the choreographer's ability to transform movement into a language of reflection and creation. Meanwhile, The Reviews Hub, Gramilano, and Everything Theatre all emphasized the contemporary nature of a work that engages with tradition from a personal perspective and with great scenic richness.
"After twenty-one years, when I look back, I believe that the greatest achievement of Flamenco Festival London is not measured by the number of performances, artists, or spectators, but by having contributed to transforming the way we look at the flamenco» (Miguel Marín)
The critical response remained equally positive in the case of Blessed land, from the Ballet Flamenco from Andalusia, which received four stars on The Reviews Hub, highlighting the solidity of the ensemble, the stage presence, and the richness of its choreographic proposalFor their part, El Perrete, with 'Luz de Guía', and Esther Merino, with 'En tierra de hombres', presented a sample of their work in London. flamenco Extremaduran artists performed in two shows held in collaboration with the Badajoz Provincial Council. Specialized critics, including those from A Youngish Perspective and Seeing Dance, highlighted the authenticity, character, and artistic personality of both productions.
The echo of specialized criticism not only underscores the artistic level of the proposals, but also It reaffirms the Festival's projection and prestige within the UK cultural sceneThus, as its director points out, “after twenty-one years, when I look back, I believe that the greatest achievement of Flamenco Festival London is not measured by the number of performances, artists, or spectators, but by having contributed to transforming the way we look at the flamenco".
In this regard, Marín points out that “we have helped to It ceased to be perceived as an artistic expression linked to stereotypes and was recognized as one of the great manifestations of contemporary stage creation.. Today the flamenco It forms an essential part of London's cultural scene and is eagerly awaited each year by a loyal audience, major theaters, and critics who analyze it with the same rigor as any other great artistic discipline. And there's something that particularly excites me: meeting Spaniards who travel to London and discovering that it's here, far from home, where many discover the true dimension of [the art form]. flamencoThey fall in love with it and feel deeply proud of one of the greatest expressions of our culture. That, for me, is the best legacy of these twenty-one editions and a merit that belongs, above all, to the artists, whose talent, commitment and ability to move people have made this story possible.”
