Antonio García Hurtado has been awarded first place in the 2024 ‘Naranjito de Triana’ Flamenco Singing Talent Contest, organized by the Cristina Heeren Foundation of Flamenco Art. The contest is supported by ACCIONA, the Andalusian Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport (through the Andalusian Agency for Cultural Institutions and the Andalusian Institute of Flamenco), the City Council of Cádiz, the Municipal Center of Flamenco Art “La Merced” (Cádiz), Grupo Joly, and 101TV.
Following the preselection of all registered candidates, the final event showcased the talent and enthusiasm of the participants, delivering an extraordinary flamenco singing performance. Antonio López Núñez received the second prize, and Diego Noval Amador was awarded third place.
Additionally, the jury granted ACCIONA scholarships to Antonio García Hurtado and Diego Noval Amador. The final, hosted by journalist Rafael Cortegana at the Municipal Center of Flamenco Art “La Merced,” featured a speech by Alexandra Hoffer, artistic director of the Cristina Heeren Foundation. Hoffer highlighted the contest’s role in attracting young talent and fostering employment in the flamenco sector, emphasizing its international reach and the success of previous scholarship recipients who are now renowned professionals.
Manuel Díaz Cuerva, Business Development Manager of ACCIONA Construction Zone South, expressed his satisfaction with ACCIONA’s eight-year partnership with the contest and hoped for its continuation. He noted ACCIONA’s commitment to supporting young talents in achieving their goals.
Maite González García-Negrotto, Cádiz’s Councilor of Culture, emphasized the city’s dedication to youth, culture, and flamenco. Mercedes Colombo Roquette, the Andalusian government delegate in Cádiz, underscored the government’s commitment to flamenco through the Andalusian Flamenco Law, which integrates flamenco into the educational curriculum.
The awards were presented by various officials: Carolina González, director of the Municipal Center of Flamenco Art “La Merced,” handed the third prize; Carmen Sánchez, territorial delegate of Development in Cádiz, presented the second prize; and Tania Barcelona, territorial delegate of Culture, Tourism, and Sport in Cádiz, awarded the first prize. Manuel Díaz Cuerva and Alexandra Hoffer presented the ACCIONA scholarships.
For the eighth consecutive year, the Cristina Heeren Foundation and ACCIONA have endowed the Flamenco Talent Contest prizes as follows: €1,400 for the first prize, €900 for the second, €600 for the third, and €100 each for the fourth and fifth finalists. ACCIONA will also grant eight scholarships, including ACCIONA Flamenco Talent Scholarships and ACCIONA Practicum Scholarships, valued at €5,000 each, with an additional stipend for living expenses.
The scholarships enable recipients to train professionally with the prestigious teachers of the Cristina Heeren Foundation, following a rigorous and comprehensive educational methodology. Many former scholarship recipients, such as Antonio Molina “El Choro,” Luisa Palicio, Lucía “La Piñona,” Juan Tomás “de la Molía,” Rocio Márquez, Jeromo Segura, Laura Vital, Lela Soto Sordera, Jesús Corbacho, Pedro Barragán, Kentaro and Kojiro Tokunaga, Manuel de la Luz, Tino Van Der Sman, Jesús Rodríguez, José Luis Medina, and Yago Santos, have achieved significant acclaim in the flamenco world.
Over the years, the Flamenco Talent Contests have supported the training of around a hundred emerging artists in singing, dancing, and guitar. The Cristina Heeren Foundation of Flamenco Art, with over 25 years of history, has become a crucial incubator for new flamenco talents, attracting students through its renowned academic program and talent contests.
More about Cristina Heeren Foundation.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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