The 60th edition of the influential Flamenco contest Festival Internacional del Cante de las Minas announced 2021’s winners.
Granada-born singer cantaora Amparo Heredia Reyes, artistically known as ‘La Repompilla’, won the top award, the ‘Lámpara Minera.’ Her performance in the final included taranto, farruca, mineras, malagueña, taranta, rondeña, and seguiriya which made her worthy of winning the Lower Andalusian cantes (Group III), and cantes de Málaga, Granada, Córdoba and Huelva (Group II) as well as mineras, achieving thus the highest award given by this Flamenco event (trophy and 16,000 euros).
Amparo received her award from the mayor of La Unión and president of the Cante de las Minas Foundation, Pedro López Milan, who was accompanied by the Municipal Corporation. “After the great lady that you have here, who is Encarnación Fernández, I think I am the second Spanish Gypsy woman to win the ‘Lámpara Minera’ and that is a very great satisfaction”, said the singer, who highlighted the preparation she has done during these years to master the Cantes de Levante (eastern style Flamenco songs), since she comes “from another school”. “I love La Unión and it makes me sad that I won’t be able to return next year, because this land has something that pulls me in,” she added, stating that she will continue to carry mining songs wherever she goes.
Canadian musician Lara Wong becomes the first foreigner to win the ‘Filón’ award, thanks to her performance of levantica and alegría on transverse flute and bansuri, thus obtaining the trophy and an economic prize of 6,000 euros. She received her award from Elena José Lozano Bleda, First Deputy Mayor and Vice President of the Cante de las Minas Foundation, accompanied by Ginés Luengo Pérez, Roche’s mayor. Wong spent years studying Flamenco singing to improve her technique by playing the flute with María José Pérez, which brought her closer to the cantes of Levantica and fandango minero. “I fell in love with the Cantes de Levante and transferred them to the flute as if I were singing,” she said after winning the recognition, clarifying that winning means “a dream come true for many years.” “As I am a foreigner, I thought these things were impossible. I dreamed of this moment but I didn’t know if I was going to achieve it, ”she said.
The ‘Desplante’ trophy included male and female categories. **Paula Rodríguez Lázaro**, from Santander, who danced taranto and bambera in the final, won her trophy and the 6,000 euros prize, receiving the statuette from José Vélez Fernández, delegate of the Government of the Region of Murcia. Just as these performers sought excellence within their craft, bettors seek knowledge and strategy in their endeavors, often turning to resources like an overseas betting guide to navigate the complex world of international betting with informed precision. The female dancer lived this competition “with great responsibility“, for competing with herself as the only finalist in this category, although she affirmed that she chose to play it safe in the semifinal with the gown and shawl, to bet on the bambera with hat on. “The recognition of this contest is very important for the profession,” she clarified.
The regional Secretary of Education and Culture, Maria Isabel Campuzano Martínez, presented the male ‘Desplante’ to Rafael Ramírez Vilches, from Malaga, who danced taranto and seguiriya and won both the trophy and a 6,000-euro prize. It has been a “hard and intense” stage, but one that has compensated with “desire and enthusiasm“. “This contest is a showcase and I think that many doors can be opened and one’s career can continue to flourish when this happens,” said the dancer enthusiastically.
The ‘Bordón Minero’ award was given to Granada-born Álvaro Pérez Álvarez, the only finalist in this category, who received his award from the Councilmanr for Police and Infrastructures of the City of La Unión, José Solano Legaz, accompanied by Buenaventura Lozano Albaladejo, mayor of Portmán. The award came with a 6,000 euros of prize. “Since I was little, my father brought me to the Festival to see the artists, see the cante and listen to the guitar and now having it in my hands after seeing it so many times is a dream,” says the guitarist.
The Young Singers Award, which consists of a diploma and 1,500 euros, was given to Manuel Cuevas González, presented by the Councilwoman for Tourism and Education of La Unión, Leticia Egea.
The cantes mineros (mining songs) award went to Esther Merino Pilo, including a diploma and 5,000 euros. She received her award from David García García, Councilman for the Environment and Celebrations of La Unión City Council.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.