5 Cool Facts about Inclusive Flamenco

by Rebecca Cuningham

I’ve found another reason to love flamenco. A Spanish choreographer began a company to make this passionate dance accessible to people with disabilities. The results are moving and beautiful.

  1. José Galán began the Flamenco Inclusivo movement in 2010. José is dedicated to focusing on what his students can do, rather than what they cannot.
  2. His dance workshops are for people with physical disabilities and learning disabilities. See the flamenco inclusivo video from two weeks ago for a peek. Notice the success of the program in the shining smiles and shows of passion.
  3. Every year, he and his colleagues train people who are differently abled to perform at the fall flamenco celebration in Sevilla.
  4. People with sight impairments and mobility challenges are part of his classes. José creates special choreography for his students to match their capabilities.
  5. José Galán and his company plan inclusive flash mobs for the fall Bienal Flamenco de Sevilla event. Then they dance in the streets with the students.

I admire how the efforts of José Galán and his dance company (singers, dancers, sign language interpreters and instructors) have improved the confidence and increased the joy of their pupils. They and their Inclusive Flamenco students inspire me.

What inspires you? How can we lift up others and allow them to shine?

Thank you to the blog Fascinating Flamenco for the news about flamenco inclusivo!

Gracias for reading Fake Flamenco! ¡Olé! -Rebecca

1920px-Wheelchair_dansesport_pictogram.svg
Wheelchair dancing pictogram

 

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Rebecca Cuningham

20 thoughts on “5 Cool Facts about Inclusive Flamenco”

  1. Great post! Very inspiring and a fantastic message! Here in Spain there are many things that are being done, some legally, some at the personal or community level, to ensure that people that have disabilities are included in every aspect of daily life. This year a law was passed that disabled people have the right to vote in elections and for the first time in our democracy they voted. So, this work that Galan is doing in Sevilla is wonderful. Flamenco is a perfect art form, it incorporates music, dance and singing, so there is something for everyone somewhere and the folklore, the stories, the tradition is very old and very interesting. I love Flamenco, I recently visited the Palacio Andaluz in Sevilla and saw quite a great Flamenco and Spanish Ballet presentation, definitely well worth it. And Sevilla, of course, is a place where there is Flamenco in so many places, including in the streets…see my Three Minutes in Sevilla post and at the end of the video there is a street Flamenco performer who is quite good! Cheers and all the best from Spain,
    FBC

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    1. Thank you, Francisco! Good to hear that the Flamenco Inclusivo is part of a growing trend of human rights for Spaniards with different abilities. In my extra brief trip to Sevilla, I missed the visiting hours for the Palacio Andaluz. I hope to remedy that soon (within 5 years?) I will check out your Sevilla video today. Gracias, Rebecca

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      3. I loved Sevilla, and I went in June when it was 44 degrees one day, the other days it cooled off to 36!!! But I still loved Sevilla, especially the Guadalquivir River area and Triana…

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  3. Astonishing post and news, another time. It doesn’t matter the fact I know your passion for flamenco, you always point out how art, dancing and singing have an important contribution on social aspects, not only at your country. Olé para ti, Rebecca.

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