Flamenco is a Spanish art form made up of three parts: guitar playing ("guitarra"), song ("cante"), and dance ("baile"). It originated in the southern regions of Spain, but is thought to be influenced by many world cultures, including Latin American, Cuban, and Jewish traditions.
Whether entertaining, romantic, or comforting, flamenco is a very emotional style of dance. The dancers seek to express their deepest emotions using facila expressions and body movements. Originally flamenco dancing was not set to music; it was only singing and clapping of hands called “toque de palmas." Some flamenco dancing still follows ancient tradition, but the use of guitars, castanets, and other musical instruments has become more popular in modern flamenco.
The 34th edition of the Nîmes Flamenco Festival - 2024
For eleven days in January 2024, Nîmes became the world capital of flamenco, with fifteen shows, meetings, and an exhibition and world-famous dancers María Moreno, Paula Comitre and Patricia Guerrero. The festival (and threatre) also had a new director: Amélie Casasole promised “the flamenco festival will remain a highlight of our season” and the audience certainly agreed. It was an exceptional year!
Chema Blanco, artistic advisor of the festival, had selected a programme which included Cordoba Olga Pericet presenting the second part of her trilogy inspired by the guitarist Antonio de Torres, and a piece called La Materia presented for the first time in France. Of the 15 shows, eight were performed by women.
Nîmes Flamenco Festival 2024 Review
Gerardo Núñez Díaz (born 1961) is a Spanish guitarist and composer. His roots are in flamenco but he has played fusion and jazz. This is a video of him performing at the 2024 Flamenco Festival in Nîmes:
How to Get there
By train: The SNCF station is just a 5 minutes walk from the Nîmes Arena (the historic centre of the town) and you can reach Nîmes from Paris by TGV fast train in under 3 hours! (yes you heard that right). For timetables and information, visit the SNCF website. or call 3635 (08.36.35.35.35 from abroad).
By car: Take the A54 Autoroute from Arles, Marseille, the Côte d'Azur, or Italy. If you are coming from Avignon, Valence, or Lyon, use the A7 Autoroute. And if you are coming from Montpellier, Narbonne, Perpignan, or Spain, use the A9 Autoroute.
By bus: Three options for you to consider. Check out the websites of LIO, FLIXBUS, and Eurolines. The area is very well served by buses and intercity coaches.
Resources
Accommodation
With stunning views, private pool, super-fast Broadband and modern air-conditioning, the villa Haute Vue is a large Holiday Home with pool in Montauroux; conveniently positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the highlights of the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is close to the beautiful perched villages of the Var and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.
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