"A Historical Event..." Article by Estela Zatania in Expo Flamenco
“Yjastros is the result of decades of dedication and hard work, and the authorities of the Festival de Jerez deserve congratulations for having programed this group of 17 dancers and musicians whose travel expenses were covered by a United States grant for the performing arts,” writes flamencologist Estela Zatania in Expo Flamenco just days after Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company performed “Xicano Power” at Festival de Jerez.
Yjastros, which is also the dance company in residence at the University of New Mexico, is the first US-based flamenco company to have ever been invited to a Spanish flamenco festival.
“In an interview with Marisol Encinias (NIF executive director) several years ago, she explained that New Mexico maintains a close relationship with its Spanish roots, while at the same time celebrating its own culture, traditions and native history. She pointed out that ‘the concept of history that incorporates both Spanish and indigenous culture is something that comes naturally in our part of the world. We feel flamenco as our own, not foreign,’” Zatania continued.
Read Estela Zatania’s full article, A cultural round-trip with social allusions at the Festival de Jerez, published March 4, 2023 in Expo Flamenco (www.expoflamenco.com).
Below immerse yourself in Yjastros’ performance at Jerez of the concert “Xicano Power,” which uses a work by Israel Galván as the title of the presentation as well as a choreography in the concert. It also includes choreographies by Mercedes Amaya “La Winy”, Pedro Córdoba, Nino de los Reyes, Estévez & Paños, Marco Flores and Joaquín Encinias, artistic director of Yjastros.
Photos courtesy of Rafael Manjavacas, published in DeFlamenco.com.
