Seville’s City Council is hoping to keep on schedule its great cultural event of the season: the Bienal de Flamenco. Even in these times of uncertainty due to the circumstances brought about by the ongoing health crisis, the organizers of this renowned even have not let their guard down and continue to work reprogramming its shows and readapting its format. Several different options and stages have been evaluated according to various scenarios to be dictated by the health recommendations established for the month of September.

The Bienal de Flamenco is a major promotional stage, not just for the many leading artists who perform in it, but also for cultural agents, managers, artistic directors, producers, dance academies, tablaos, musicians, palmeros, light and sound technicians, costume outfitters, stagehands, stage managers, etc. The Bienal is a cultural engine, a launching pad for artistic creations, a promoter of the city of Seville and a driving force in the culture industry.

«The Bienal is part of our identity. Thus, we are striving to keep it on schedule. It will be a Bienal like no other. It will be unique, adapted to the circumstances of these times we’re experiencing» (Antonio Muñoz)

The Bienal is celebrating 40 years of history this year, 2020, and this edition, scheduled from September 4^th to October 4^th, will be adapted for the difficult circumstances created by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. First, due to the firm commitment of its organizers to keep this event in the city’s cultural calendar. Second, because it must continue to fulfill its role as the foundation of flamenco’s productive fabric, due to its support of scenic productions, which directly contributes to the livelihood of many families that depend on this festival.

“Culture is an essential aspect in the life of our citizens. Those of us in the public institutions must contribute to reactivate it by supporting the artists, the creators, and the cultural industry. The Bienal is part of our identity. Thus, we are striving to keep it on schedule. It will be a Bienal like no other. It will be unique, adapted to the circumstances of these times we’re experiencing”. Explained Antonio Muñoz, delegate for Urban Habitat, Tourism and Culture.

That is why the organizers have been working on a complete reprogramming of the Bienal, with several different scenarios being considered according to the health recommendations and live-performance criteria to be established for the month of September and the evolution of the health crisis. Options being considered are outdoor musical shows with limited attendance, limiting the number of seating in the venues that are part of the program, and live streaming to reach a wider public. The state-wide general criteria for the performance of cultural shows is expected to be made public within the next few weeks.

Seville’s City Council will set in motion an online/offline promotional campaign to make public the restructured program

Antonio Zoido, director of the current edition, commented in this regard: “The Bienal is the big trampoline that launches its artists and companies to all over Spain and to the whole world with the shows they have presented — and often premiered — in this festival. From the Bienal, they go to all other flamenco festivals in London, New York, Holland, Paris, or Mexico. Thus, it is essential to start at this root when it comes to implementing the decisions dictated by the present circumstances because, whether in Spain or in any other country, the fabric of daily life as we knew it has changed. We have kept the negotiation agreements we had closed with the artists before the health crisis started, so all of them will be featured in the Bienal”.

As soon as September’s guidelines for the performance of cultural events are known, City Council will set in motion an online/offline promotional campaign to make public the restructured program and the specific days and times of each show.