We are quite happy to report such positive news. The world keeps turning and flamenco keeps moving forward despite the ongoing pandemic. The National Institute of Flamenco, lead by Marisol Encinias (executive director), Eva Encinias (founding director) and Joaquín Encinias (artistic director), announced a new edition, its 34^th, of the Festival Flamenco Alburquerque.

Alburquerque, the city hosting this Festival — the longest-running flamenco festival outside Spain — is the largest city in New Mexico, USA. Our colleague Estela Zatania already chatted with Marisol Encinias in the summer of 2020, when she expressed the need to hold the festival virtually due to the circumstances created by the Covid-19 pandemic. «This pandemic may weed people out sooner, but I believe those who are meant to work in this career path will stick with it and will come to feel that their work is valued and supported in society», stated Marisol Encinias in the interview published by Expoflamenco.

Yet, 2021 is different and the event’s organizers — the National Institute of Flamenco — are already working on the 34^th edition of the Festival. «The Institute is excited to program an incredible Festival that exemplifies our belief in the power of art and access to excellent flamenco, and honors the 33-year legacy of this incredible event», the official website states.

«Despite current challenges, we plan to be able to bring the Festival and its incredible energy to our community. The Institute prioritizes the safety of artists, staff, and participants, and will make decisions in accordance with public health guidelines and best practices», continues the statement. One of the novelties is holding the festival in July, while it was usually held in June. The scheduled dates are from July 13^th to July 17^th, 2021.

«The Institute is excited to program an incredible Festival that exemplifies our belief in the power of art and access to excellent flamenco»

Currently, next to nothing is known about the program and ticket sales, although it is a given that top-level artists will perform, as it was the case with the 2019 edition, when it featured Manuel Liñán and Olga Pericet, among others.

What is know is the festival’s official poster. Each year, the National Institute of Flamenco seeks an artist able to create an image that portrays the idea of a unique festival with an important legacy. In this edition, this responsibility has been given to Erin Currier, artist and illustrator from Santa Fe, NM.

About the Festival Flamenco Alburquerque

Every summer, the National Institute of Flamenco and the University of New Mexico host Festival Flamenco Alburquerque, bringing the finest flamenco artists in the world to Albuquerque. For eight days, the city is filled with the pulse of flamenco, and is transformed into a cultural epicenter for the art form.

«The purpose of this project is to preserve and promote flamenco’s artistry, history, and culture among both national and international communities», they explain. Besides the artistic component, it also features a strong educational piece with workshops and courses aimed at flamenco lovers of all ages.

By producing Festival Flamenco for 33 years, the National Institute of Flamenco has been instrumental in building and growing an incredible community. New Mexico is regarded as the center for flamenco in the United States, and this one-of-a-kind event, unparalleled in the quality of its scope and programming, attracts thousands of students and patrons.