What is flamenco and where does this intense and moving music come from?

When we talk about Spanish culture, one of the first things that comes to mind is flamenco: an art form that combines music, singing, and dance with an emotional strength that’s hard to forget. But what is the origin of flamenco?

A Mix of Cultures

Flamenco was born in Andalusia, in southern Spain, between the 18th and 19th centuries. But its roots go much deeper and involve a blend of cultures.

Its development was influenced by Gypsies (Roma), who arrived in Spain in the 15th century, as well as Moors, Sephardic Jews, and local Andalusian Spaniards. These groups shared musical traditions and rhythms that gave rise to flamenco as we know it today.

Singing, Dancing and Guitar

Flamenco is made up of three main elements:

• Cante (singing): Expressive and emotional, sometimes sad, sometimes joyful. There are many styles, or palos, such as soleá, bulería or seguiriya.
• Baile (dance): Strong footwork, dramatic gestures, and powerful storytelling through movement.
• Guitarra (guitar): Flamenco guitar uses special techniques like rasgueo and picado to create its signature sound.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

In 2010, UNESCO declared flamenco an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its global cultural importance. Today, flamenco is studied and performed all over the world.

Want to Listen to Flamenco?

Start with artists like Camarón de la Isla, Paco de Lucía, Niña Pastori, or Rosalía, who blends flamenco with modern styles.