Origins of Flamenco is a subject of much debate since it only has been documented over the last two hundred years ago, and the word Flamenco, which applies to song, dance and guitar, did not come into use until the 18th century. Much of what we know before this time came from the stories that have been passed down through the family, in the same way with flamenco song itself. While many details of the construction of flamenco are lost in history, it is certain that it came from Andalusia and from VIII to XV century, when Spain was under Arab control, music and musical instruments have been modified and adapted by Christians and Jews, and then by gipsies became a hybrid music separate from other forms of music that created it. Between 1765 and 1860, the first Flamenco-schools were created in Cadiz, Jerez de la Frontera and Triana (Seville). In this age of Flamenco dance started to have a strong position in the hall. Early Flamenco seems to have been purely vocal, accompanied only by the rhythmic clapping of hands, toque de palmas. It was left to dedicated composers, as Julián Arcas, to introduce guitar playing.…
Flamenco is an art of great persistence. Its traditional form is truly battle-born and has surpassed centuries of being shunned, social-hierarchical marginalization, and political retribution. Despite originating in Andalusia amongst socially marginalized groups of people, today flamenco is recognized as a national symbol of Spain. Initially it seems difficult to understand how the music of social and political catharsis could transform to a larger national symbol and tradition. But, looking at…
paella. The first formula mixed home developed vegetables (normally beans) with off-cuts of rabbit and the short grain rice that was make in big quantity around the city of Valencia. Indeed, even today this customary Valencian paella can be found in a huge number of towns. (culture,2013) Bullfighting: Ancient bullrings in Seville and ronda attract many tourist. But some visitors express the sport as bloody and cruel practice on animals whereas other people love the artful moves of the matadors…
worlds.” When walking through the Great Mosque, you will find a small church situated in the center of the structure, known as St. Mary’s Cathedral. You might ask yourself: why a cathedral is at the heart of a mosque? In this essay, I aim to support the idea that the chapel’s location in the Great Mosque was an assertion of Spanish rule and Christianity in Andalusia. It is necessary to address the region 's history during the eighth through twelfth centuries to comprehend the significance of St.…
their arrival, cities like Sevilla, Cordoba, and Andalusia, flourished in cultural life. The city became an attraction to outsiders as it thrived in science, literature, poetry and music. Musicians and dancers were imported from Bagdad. Approximately about a million people were living in Spain; an incredible blend of races and nationalities, of folk groups with different life styles, languages and cultures. During the years to come, music and dance developed from this union. Spain had reached…
It is certain that the flamenco originated in the province of Andalusia in Spain. Flamenco is an art that involves singing, playing the guitar and dancing. Flamenco dancing was originally not set to music as it was only singing and clapping of hands, which is called “toque de palmas”. Some flamenco dancing still follows the original tradition of not using music, but guitars and other musical instruments have become more popular in modern…
The Muslim legacy in Spain is very much present in Andalusia thanks to the Muslim occupation of the territory called al-Andalus, started with the invasion of the Iberian peninsula in 711 and finally defeated by the Christian kingdoms with the fall of the kingdom of Granada in 1492. The eight centuries of Muslim occupation has left numerous architectural and artistic footsteps throughout Spain, the most important monuments are located in Andalusia with the mosque of Cordoba and the palace -…
citizens, which can also be translated to an urban middle class that had access to multiple professional and administrative careers. They collaborated closely with Muslims to urbanize the empire and be recognized as a global economic power. Attracting millions, cities of intellectualism were among the first to develop into major urban centers, followed by several others. By the 10th century, Cordoba was home to a population of more than 500,000–the largest European city until then. Great…
Alfombras are carpets made of sawdust which is dyed into various colors. The materials are then placed on streets and arranged to display pictures and symbols, usually related to the holiday of Easter or the country in which it is created. During the festivities the alfombras are destroyed. This tradition occurs every year during Holy Week, or Semana Santa. This is a popular tradition in Antigua, Guatemala which is famous for its elaborate alfombras. The tradition was introduced to the…
Cheltenham Festival 2017 Is Waiting For You Are you a fan of Horse Racing? If you are, I am certain that you have heard about the world famous Cheltenham Festival that happens each year. For the year 2017, watch as the best horses and jockeys battle to be the supreme team of the race course. You can take part on this one-of-a-kind journey and join over a quarter of a million people in celebrating this festival on March 14th to March 17th. Apart from the horse racing, you can also join the party…