Entertainment » Culture

In 1961 the Cante de las Minas first national Festival began, and its first celebration took place in the Argüelles terrace on October 13th, 1961. It was the first stage for this Festival, which was later moved to the Old Public Market building. The Cante de las Minas Festival has been rooted and ever since has held constant editions, making it the strongest and most important annual flamenco event worldwide.

Once the Festival had been established, it started accomplishing its goals: on the one hand, the competitions in La Unión make a contribution to the strengthening and launching of several new artists and, on the other hand, the Festival has represented the final recovery and promotion of certain chants and rhythms that were about to disappear. Lastly, this Festival has managed to dignify and add value to the consideration and respect for these rhythms.

The current structure of the Festival is divided into three large sections, which complement and enrich the competitions: chants, rhythm and dance. The corresponding competitions are: “Cante” (Singing) with the  Lámpara Minera, as the prize awarded to the best “cante por mineras” (a mining chant invented in La Unión), and also awarding other prizes to other styles from Andalucía and other mining chants (taranta, taranto, levantica, murciana, the miner’s fandango, etc.). As regards “toque” (guitar playing), the best prize is the Bordón Minero, a very prestigious trophy for all specialists in and out of our country. For the most recent dance category  “Baile”, we have El Desplante as the first prize, all of which with an added important economic compensation.

During the few nights right before the competition, the most relevant flamenco artists put on their shows with a non-competitive intention. La Unión becomes a fabulous window for the most fascinating exhibitions of chants, guitar playing and dance. Every day is also complemented with chats, debates and photographic, panting and sculpture exhibitions.