h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I read your comment on 'Duende' - and I'm happy to see you here! So far, I have met so few people here who really know about Flamenco!

Duende is difficult to describe, it's such a personal experience - but to me, it is a mixture of feelings, so strong that they take over while it lasts, making me loose myself.

- I've been taking dancing lessons for 7 seven years, and it has only happened ONCE while I was dancing during our end-of-term performance.

- Suddenly the guitar, the song, the hand clappings and shouts - and the dance - melted into one, filling me with so much.. so much.. gahhhh!! It IS difficult to describe - light, power, energy, emotions!

- I really don't know what happened during the dance, don't know if or what I danced, don't know if I managed to keep up with the other 3 girls that were dancing, because I didn't become aware of the things around me until the end of the dance, where we were supposed to dance out to the left, and I almost collided with the guitarist!

- and afterwards a complete stranger approached me and said: 'Wow! You were fantastic! You were amazing!' It was the first time I received personal compliments, usually there are just vague compliments aimed at the group, not the individuals.

Whatever it was, it took complete control of me for a few minutes, but I know I was almost out of breath afterwards.

Kristina:

Hola chica. Your description of duende is perfect. I'm sure you danced perfectly. The body just keeps on going through these experiences. I have known duende a few times but always listening to cante jondo - and usually a palo seco. We are very fortunate those few of us who know how it feels and that is why I get upset by the overuse of the word.

Tell me about yourself - where you live, how you came to know flamenco.

Abrazos

Gaia

I live in Stockholm, Sweden -

- and my first contact with Flamenco was several years ago when a flamenco troup was touring all the 'folk theatres' in Sweden - and after watching one of their performances, I walked out feeling like 'Wow! WOW! Envigorated, upset and - most importantly - feeling ALIVE!

At that time, I was living in Eskilstuna, no Flamenco there, apart from this one performance

- but I usually visit the Falun Folk Music Festival every year
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A385913
- and one year, they had Flamenco dancing on the course programme

- I was there with a friend of mine, who took oriental dance classes, and each evening we competed in moaning about how tired we were, and each morning how stiff we were!

6 hours of dancing for 5 days, ending with a performance, and on the 3rd day the festival started - get up early, dance - dance - dance, go to a concert, go to another concert, and yet another - and then crash-land in your bed!

And then, 7 years ago, I moved to Stockholm, saw a performance at the dancing school of my current teacher - and got hooked! I simply can't live without it! Usually the very last weeks of each term are extremely busy, practising for the end-of-term performance, and afterwards I usually think: 'Thank God that's over now!'

- but after two weeks, my feet become restless, and I start missing it all - very much! I confess! I confess! I'M ADDICTED!!!

Dear Kristina,

Nice story. I'm afraid I know absolutely nothing about dancing. I am far too old and fat to indulge !! My great love is cante jondo. I was born and still live in England but my heart and soul are in Andalucía where I am determined to live one day. I'd like to ask you something. Have you heard of Manitas de Plata - the artist I refer to on my page? You are probably far too young. But the reason I'm asking is that Manitas will be 80 years old on the 7th of August and I am arranging to have a card sent to him with greetings from as many people in as many different countries as I can. I started collecting a bit late so the card is looking a bit sparse at the moment. If you would like to send a message please feel free. I will be printing all of them off and will send the card at the beginning of August. And if you know of anyone else at all who would like to join in, I can arrange to let them have my e-mail address.

I'm sorry I haven't had time yet to explore this site properly so haven't yet figured out how to send smiley faces.

Besitos,

Gaia

No, sorry, never heard of Manitas de Plata - of course I have heard of the Gipsy Kings, but I think they have too much pop music and too little flamenco in their songs.

The family I've heard most about is the Farruco clan - they once performed at the Stockholm Water Festival in Sweden, and our Flamenco teacher managed to invite them to dinner in our rehearsal facilities, because she had been studying for Farruco once upon a time - and she invited us pupils too - and there was some singing, and guitar playing, and some dancing - and his grand son was just amazing - just 5 years old at the time - and already so expressive in his dancing!

*just passing by, looking for signs of life*