Special Report 'La Noche Blanca del Flamenco de Córdoba'. José Mercé, Arcángel, Lebrijano, …

Photo Gallery – Videos Noche Blanca

Text: Ángel Lacalle
Photos and video: Rafael Manjavacas

The never-ending Noche Blanca del Flamenco

Nearly 400,000 people were swarming in the street to enjoy the second Noche Blanca flamenco encounter, establishing an exuberant precedent intended to make Córdoba the Cultural Capital of 2016 no less.  Not such a strange goal when you consider that in the eighth century it was already one of the most culturally rich cities of Europe.

The nearly 40 degrees centigrade (104 Fahrenheit) we had during the day in Córdoba, contributed to the success of the happening with hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors from other cities out in the street, happily strolling around in the wee hours looking for their favorite music, because there was something for everyone.  It was heart-warming to see the ancient historical spaces of the city full of young people, older folk, children, everyone aiming to cool off in the parks and fountains hidden in the silence.  It was a feeling of freedom to see groups of people sitting on the well-worn stones that pave the ground of the patios of the Mezquita, or grouped in a circle beneath the dense orange trees, paying close attention to the fandango of Arcángel that could have been an ancient call to prayer.  A little earlier, in the Plaza de las Tendillas, Juan Peña “Lebrijano”, both energetic and wise, along with the Orquesta Andalusí, sang to freedom with that old chorus: “Give me the freedom of the birds of the marsh…give me the freedom of the storm…”

The Corredera Plaza was packed full of people a full hour before the concert of José Mercé and Moraíto who satisfied a wide range of tastes with classic Jerez cante for some, and pop songs for others.  Medina Azahara and Rosario Flores managed to fill the República Argentina Avenue.  The former, characteristically dressed like old rockers, delighted the mostly youthful audience given over to non-stop dancing, prolonged by Rosario Flores’ rap, and that prodigious rumba beat that moved all the hips young enough to move.  At the Axarquía Theater, dance was represented with “Cálida Hondura”, a literary version of Spanish dance directed by Daniel Navarro, choreographed by Javier Latorre and set to music by Vicente Amigo and Juan Riquena.  

Contemporary art had its presence, as is only fitting, with some daring propositions, how else could this be a “noche blanca”?  In the morning, the big windows of many historical buildings were covered with gigantic photographs of flamenco artists by Pepe Díaz and Tony Blanco.  Naturally, there were many other activities, including gastronomical.  Had that not been the case, had it not been for the cod salad with oranges, the salmorejo and the eggplant, we would never have made it throught the longest night, nor even been able to write this report.

Photo gallery
by Rafael Manjavacas

Ruvén Afanador’s exhibit dominates the Gran Capitán Avenue of Córdoba.	One of the sculptures from “Por una Oscura Galería”
Towards afternoon, Lebrijano and Faiçal give an interview on the stage that one hour later would be crawling with people.	At the Plaza de las Tendillas, it’s clear we’re in a spot for flamenco, and the photos of Toni Blanco and Pepe Díaz are part of the Noche Blanca.
Cuentos por Seguiriyas is a show aimed at children with actresses Pilar Nicolás and Nieves Palma. Gran Capitán Boulevard.	Street activity at the Plaza las Tendillas.

Guest artist Paco Serrana in the Patio de los Naranjos, privileged venue of the Noche Blanca.	Arcángel, one of the most eagerly awaited participants, in the Patio de los Naranjos.

In the Plaza Corredera the singer from Jerez with Moraíto Chico were the stars of the most multitudinous flamenco concert of the night.  All the participating performers in the Noche Blanca del Flamenco were well aware of the unusual nature of the event.	In addition to “Grandes Producciones”, another major draw was the flamenco fashion show by designer Juana Martín in the city’s Colón gardens.

Videos of Noche Blanca del Flamenco de Córdoba
by Rafael Manjavacas