The Ibérica Festival celebrates 20 years with flamenco dancer Mercedes Ruíz

13 June 2023, 10:00
The Ibérica Festival celebrates 20 years with flamenco dancer Mercedes Ruíz

The Ibérica festival of Ibero-American Culture is celebrating twenty years and will once again bring Spanish flamenco stars to the Czech Republic. This year, the festival will visit Prague, Vyškov, Zdounek, Čech pod Kosířem and Velké Opatovice, but will be centered in Brno as usual. The event will also feature a gastronomic showcase in the courtyard of Brno’s Old Town Hall.

“The main star of this year’s festival, flamenco dancer Mercedes Ruíz, will bring a captivating performance to the unique setting of the Špilberk Castle courtyard on 17 June, which will be a celebration of twenty years of the festival and flamenco itself. Mercedes Ruíz represents the authentic art of flamenco, the cradle of which is her hometown of Jerez de la Frontera. The much-admired artist popularizes flamenco all over the world. At the Ibérica gala concert, she will be accompanied by a trio of musicians led by virtuoso guitarist Santiago Lara," says the festival’s artistic director Petr Vít. However, the program at Špilberk will begin in the afternoon with a free fiesta on the summer stage full of Ibero-American gastronomy. The Radek Bagár Trio will play and, most importantly, everyone will be able to try the dance steps of flamenco rumba and Argentine tango under the guidance of experienced teachers. Immediately after the performance of the Spanish dancer, held in collaboration with Instituto Cervantes Praga, visitors can enjoy a Latino birthday after party with Colombian singer Laura Ayo at the same venue. The Brno part of the festival will run from 17 to 22 June 2023.

This year, fans of Ibero-American culture can also look forward to creative workshops focused mainly on flamenco, Argentine tango, salsa and rumba. "This year we will again take advantage of the presence of outstanding artists. The star of the gala concert, Mercedes Ruíz, will lead a workshop on flamenco dance techniques. A new workshop called "Rumba flamenca, better than aerobics" is suitable for all levels. Rumba flamenca is undoubtedly the best way to approach the world of flamenco without any previous knowledge and to enjoy a moment of dancing and intense movement," adds Cristina Roa, the course coordinator.

IBÉRICA 2023 PROGRAM:

17 June, Špilberk Castle, Brno

BIRTHDAY WITH GALA CONCERT

15:00 Fiesta at the Castle (free admission)

20:30 Mercedes Ruíz: Segunda piel

22:30 Latino after party: Laura Aya (free entry)

19-23 June, Art Cinema, Brno

Ibérica cinematográfica

19 June, Löw-Beer Villa, Brno

Ibérica clásica: Ibero-American musical treasures

21 June, Dělňák Cultural House, Brno - Líšeň

Virginia Delgado: Concierto flamenco

22 June, Courtyard of Old Town Hall, Brno

Ibero-American Fiesta (free entry)

Mercedes Ruíz/ photo: festival archive

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