MADRID, Spain — Music is a cornerstone of Spanish culture, and nowhere can the passion and artistry behind it be felt more prominently than in Madrid’s flamenco and folk scenes. Though these forms of song and dance are tied to centuries of history and storytelling, they have evolved to incorporate a complex ethos while maintaining a universal appeal. For many singers, songwriters, and performers whose lives are intertwined with the local music scene, it’s more than an art form: it’s a lifestyle.
“It’s a culture that touches your heart and makes you change the course of your life,” says Lisi Sfair, a flamenco dancer and co-owner at Centro Cultural Flamenco Madrid. “Flamenco is truly an art that unites.”
In Sfair’s case, that course change was literal. She became enamored with flamenco at a young age in Rio de Janeiro, and at 17, she travelled to Spain to learn it and make it her life’s work. Though flamenco has Spanish origins, its influence can now be seen all over the world, taking on unique forms in different countries.
Equally defining is Spain’s folk scene, which has itself grown immensely from its origins. Through local venues such as Open Folk Madrid which welcome amateur musicians, both performers and audiences can connect with folk music’s bold simplicity.
“Folk music is about stripping bare and going acoustic, having a guitar and a voice, and telling stories,” says JJ Mali, a folk musician who has performed at Open Folk Madrid.
By its very nature, Spanish folk music also draws on numerous outside cultural influences, but the emotional messaging and purpose remain ever potent.