The ‘Málaga en Flamenco’ biennial festival, which will be holding its second edition between 25 August and 30 September, has succeeded in bringing together performers who for various reasons did not feature in the first event, such as Enrique Morente, his daughter Estrella, Moraíto Chico, Gerardo Núñez, Serranito, Enrique de Melchor, La Repompa, Cancanilla, Curro Lucena and Esperanza Fernández. They will be joined by such stars as Carmen Linares, Arcángel, Miguel Poveda and Mayte Martín. The Provincial Government of Malaga, which organises the event, has again chosen Paco de Lucía to headline the biennial, and he will once more be performing at the La Malagueta bullring, on 22 September. The Algeciras-born guitarist will be paid a special tribute in the form of seven guitar concerts performed by musicians including Manolo Sanlúcar, Serranito, Tomatito and Enrique de Melchor. In addition, between 30 July and 3 August, Estepona will be hosting five conferences and round tables, organised by Juan José Téllez, focusing on this legendary figure. Also making a return to the event will be Antonio ‘El Pipa’, who was such a striking success at the first biennial with his ‘De Tablao’ show. This time the flamenco dancer from Jerez will be performing a new spectacle, ‘Puerta Adentro’. Meanwhile, the big surprise of 2005, Malaga-born dancer Sergio Aranda, will be arriving in town with his own show, as will guitarist Niño Javi and singers Andrés Lozano and La Cañeta. There is also room for Carrete, in the world of flamenco dance, and Antonio de Canillas, among the singers.

FLAMENCO OF EVERY FLAVOUR

The extensive programme is supplemented by performers at some distance removed from what has been dubbed ‘pure flamenco’, or even completely unrelated to it. These include performances by such names as Tomasito, Son de la Frontera, Pitingo, Israel Galván, Pepe Romero, the Malaga Philhamonic Orchestra, the Provincial Symphonic Orchestra, Salvador Távora’s La Cuadra theatre company, the Chekara Moorish Andalusian orchestra, Jorge Pardo, Carlos Benavent and Tino Di Gerald, along with the Andalusian
jazz of Chano Domínguez and many others.
Traditional verdiales will also be on the menu at this second edition, courtesy of the Santo Pitar, Comares, Raíces de Almogía and Los Romanes groups.
The director of the biennial, José Luis Ortiz Nuevo, has
made 7 the central number at this year’s event. “For the love of seven, this year of seven, two thousand and seven, for the magical force of seven, the seven wonders of the world, the seven colours of the rainbow, the seven days of the week...,” as he himself says.
In fact, the opening ceremony was moved forward to 7th of the 7th, 2007, or Saturday 7 July. The event was held at the Dolmen de Menga, and featured a marathon concert which began at midnight on the Friday and lasted until dawn.
The saeta style is another new addition to this year’s ‘Málaga en Flamenco’. Under the title ‘The Seven Agonies’, Archidona will be playing host to the saeteros Antonio de Canillas and Gloria de Málaga, Embajá del Ángel, La Escuela de Saetas de Marchena and the incense bearers of Loja.
The second ‘Málaga en Flamenco’ biennial will feature the debut of 30 different shows, half of local origin, and involve 500 performers, half of whom are again from the city and province of Malaga. Stages will be set up at fourteen historic and symbolic open-air sites, along with nine theatres in ten towns around the province.
And not just that. The numerous parallel events organised to coincide with ‘Málaga en Flamenco’ include seven exhibitions, 44 academic conferences, ten round tables and 16 courses at different levels. Not bad for starters.