Musicians, Dancers and Matadores of Spain
Posted by Dylan on May 26, 2009Spain is known for their beaches, their art, their cuisine and their fiestas. In every village, festivals are occurring throughout the year, such as the Pamplona Bull Runs, the Fireworks festival in Valencia, and the incredible festival of Seville, the the Feria de Abril. Throughout Spain traditional forms of art and sport have elevated the participants to celebrity status and provide locals and visitors with incredible experiences. Two such forms that occur daily, and that are celebrated with festivals, are the Flamenco Dance and Music, and the Bullfighters.
The traditional song and dance throughout the country of Spain is the Flamenco. This is an emotional art form often touching on subjects such as nature and love, the songs are known for their tonal tragedy, their intensity and by the emotional depth of the musicians. The core of this art is the song, sounding at various moments a bit lighter sometimes as in the bulerias, and more serious as with the soleares. As with the dancing, this is often an improvised art, with the structure of traditional chords and rhythms providing the backbone for the improvisation. The female dancers are recognized for their graceful and emotive hands and the incredible way they hold the positioning of their bodies. The men are known for their ability to perform the tap dance like rhythms of the intricate steps of the Zapateado. The music has hints of Asian influences, and the dance is similar to the dances of traditional India.
The information on where to catch these shows can be found in any of the five star hotels. Spain is also the country of the Bull-fight and matadors, where the fiestas are the most traditional and represent the culture, the art and history of the entire country. Regardless of the pressure put on the country by animal rights groups, the King of Spain refuses to ban the sport, which in Spain is considered an art. The bull-fights are celebratory and ritualistic expressions, often connected with days of feasts honoring the Spanish conquest of the Moors. Today, the bull fighting is a major business and many of the top bull-fighters are regarded with the reverence of the country’s rock stars and soccer players. On visiting Spain either the Flamenco shows or the Bull-fights provide the traveler with the unique insight to this culturally and historically rich country.
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