Por Redaccion 
The Department of Culture and Heritage of the City Council of Vélez-Málaga has announced, as part of its comprehensive project to enhance activities and initiatives aimed at promoting and disseminating our most deeply rooted traditions, an initiative focused on supporting one of those customs that are part of the Andalusian and Malagan people’s idiosyncrasy. Today, the municipality has announced its participation in the well-known Flamenco Art Biennial of Malaga, now in its ninth edition, organized by the Provincial Council, as a forum of culture and art that is a heritage of our land and one of the most important events in the world of flamenco internationally, with the participation of over 200 flamenco artists for about six or seven months throughout the capital and the entire province.
At the presentation of the calendar events where the capital of Axarquía will be featured, the Mayor of Vélez-Málaga, Jesús Lupiáñez, stressed the promotion and enhancement of one of the most traditional music genres in our history, which has produced extraordinary artists from Vélez-Málaga and Axarquía and stands as one of the most significant and far-reaching artistic expressions worldwide. The local mayor was joined by the Provincial Culture Deputy, Manuel López Mestanza, and the Area Councillor, Alicia Ramírez.
The dates of June 20th and July 3rd are highlighted in the Flamenco Art Biennial calendar with Vélez-Málaga’s name. On these two days, the Cerro de San Cristóbal and the MVVEL of Vélez-Málaga will host performances for the enjoyment of fans of this musical tradition and all residents who want to experience the high artistic and professional level of the event. Admission is free. On Friday, June 20th, the San Cristóbal Auditorium will host the "Mediterranean Sundance," featuring guitarist Rubén Lara and guest artists Javi Merino and Martín Veredas, starting at 10:00 PM, where they will reinterpret classic themes.
On July 3rd, it will be the turn of young pianist Antón Cortés from Mallorca, who will present a carefully selected repertoire of his own compositions as a tribute to Paco de Lucía. This self-taught artist, trained by flamenco masters, has received the New Creators Award from the Institute of Roma Culture and the Venencia Flamenca award from the Flamenco Festival of Mistela (Seville). On Thursday, July 3rd, starting at 9:00 PM, he will be at the MVVEL of Vélez-Málaga for his special tribute to the legendary Paco de Lucía.
"It is a great satisfaction that the Provincial Council has chosen Vélez-Málaga as the venue for this major event, a pride to be cultural references in an event that celebrates its ninth edition in our city with two excellent shows in two wonderful settings, featuring talented artists with innovative abilities," expressed Jesús Lupiáñez, who described the proposal as "one of the most important cultural events in the province, keeping alive the pure essence of flamenco, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity."
The mayor has emphasized the value of those present at the upcoming events in Vélez-Málaga. "We will have top figures of flamenco art, who are committed to innovation and experimentation in the line of deep song, their presence in our environment indicates that we are doing things right, that we are investing in culture, and that bears fruit, making the city a reference in Málaga for its ability to attract, host, and move people," highlighted the local leader.
Provincial Culture Deputy, Manuel López Mestanza, highlighted the value of the artists who will perform at various locations in Malaga, focusing on the municipality where "young and enthusiastic Malaga guitarists who want to pay tribute to the masters, and above all, honor Paco de Lucía" will be present, along with "an artist who has become a major figure in flamenco piano." In general terms, the Deputy President of the Provincial Council emphasized "two concerts, very different from each other, but with Paco de Lucía’s influence and the youth of the performers as the central theme."
Prestigious Festival
The celebration of the IX Flamenco Art Biennial features invited artists of the caliber of Rocío Molina, Pasión Vega, La Macanita, Manuel Liñán, and Alfonso Losa, joined by top figures in guitar playing, dancing, and music such as Manuela Carrasco, Farruqito, or Pedro El Granaino, among others, forming a top-notch lineup of an essential and influential flamenco event in Andalusia, organized by the Provincial Council through the company Turismo Costa del Sol.
The impact of this magnificent flamenco performance goes beyond music itself, reaching a dimension where flamenco opens up to the universal discourse of music, defining itself as a genre more alive than ever before, with a greater presence of instruments in this edition that will enrich the event and the very conception of this art form.