Flamenco is not an ordinary dance but an art, inextricably linked with Spain and its age-old culture. Flamenco is not just an entertainment. From centuries, by the rhythms of the dance, singing and music Andalusian gypsies expressed their emotions. Flamenco contains not only the elements of Spanish culture, but also Hindu, Jewish, Persian, Arabic, Moorish, Egyptian and medieval Gregorian chant music.
Flamenco is characterized by a remarkable power of expression. During flamenco shows spectators almost feel the need to join the dancers, emotions and feelings are floating in the air, and every movement and every sound emphasizes the sadness, anger or joy.
Flamenco is spontaneous, pure and danced straight from the heart. There is no place for conventions and schemes. Dancers do not hide the anger, but express it with violent gestures and rhythmic hitting heels. Dancers express love by literally wrapping their partner - sometimes you can get an impression that during dance partners fight with each other and express this “war” with gestures, mimics and rhythm..
Dance in Flamenco is the most important and is still evolving under the influence of new artists. In the dance the most important elements are: body, hands and feet. These last are the most important and most characteristic for this dance. It consists of zapateado and punteado. The first is a solo tap show, the second are the steps influenced by the rhythm of a guitar. Hand movements are more expressive for women and each finger is equally important. And finally the body that performs the movements smoothly or dynamically, is sometimes the culmination of the whole dance.
Flamenco can be danced individually – and this solo dance is the most popular among all. It’s a show that is coming from the interior of the dancer. It’s often improvised, enriched by individual interpretation by the dancer and spontaneous - not subjected to any schematic movements.
