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This afternoon UNESCO declared three Spanish traditions as Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity: the flamenco music and dance of Andalusia; the Mallorcan musical liturgy, El Canto de La Sibilia; and Los Castells, the human castles of Catalonia. At today's UNESCO meeting in Nariobi, Kenya, 47 proposals from various countries were considered, including two others that Spain submitted jointly with others: the Mediterranean diet, together with Greece, Italy and Morocco; and falconry, along with Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Korea, Mongolia, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.
El Canto de La Sibilia (Song of the Sybil), is a musical liturgical drama which is performed every Christmas Eve in churches throughout the Mediterranean island of Mallorca. This piece, which is sung in Catalan, first appeared in Europe during the Middle Ages and came to Mallorca with the Christian re-conquest of 1229. The chant was originally sung in Latin under the name of Judicii Signum, but from the 13th century on it has been performed in Catalan. While the staging and music have had slight changes over time, it has maintained its medieval essence.
Los Castells (The Castles) are human towers traditionally built in public squares during holidays and festivals in the northeastern region of Catalonia. Dating back over 200 years, this athletic feat consists of the assembly and disassembly of human towers, formed by individuals climbing on the shoulders of others, and reaching from 6 to 10 levels. The castles are erected by groups of men and women of all ages, called colla. Castellers sport traditional dress and each colla is distinguished by the color of the shirt worn by its members. Crowds marvel at the rise and fall of one castle after another, accompanied by characteristic music played on a wind instrument called a gralla, which sets the pace of each tower's construction and collapse.
However, it is the declaration of flamenco music and dance, with roots dating back to the 15th century, which has generated the most attention and excitement around the world -- especially in the cradle of the art-form, the southern region of Spain known as Andalusia. The committee's decision caused rejoicing in Spain's artistic and political world. Singer José Mercé welcomed the decision with an "abundance of great satisfaction," adding, "I think we deserved it and we finally made it. Viva flamenco and a giant hug to the whole world!"
For her part, dancer Sara Baras assured that "los flamincos" have every reason to celebrate. Baras opined that flamenco deserved this acknowledgment "long ago" and said that although it is a respected art form today, it went through a period where it was "very neglected" and looked down upon as something for the lower classes. "Even with some incredibly great artists, there were many people who did not consider it as art, and I think it has always been," she lamented. She added that she had been convinced that flamenco would be declared a global treasure due to "the quality of it as an art, and also to the quality of UNESCO."
From Nairobi, the Andalusian regional government's Minister of Culture, Paulino Plata, emphasized the joy at the "unanimous" approval of flamenco and the "thunderous applause" of representatives of all the countries present. Speaking by telephone, Plata pointed out that representatives of countries like Mexico, Paraguay, France, Portugal and Japan approached her delegation to express their support.
Spain's Deputy Prime Minister, and former President of the Region of Andalusia, Manuel Chaves, welcomed the declaration, stating that while flamenco is the heritage of all of Spain, in Andalusia it is "a sign of identity."
The current President of Andalusia, José Antonio Griñán, expressed his congratulation through Facebook and Twitter underscoring that "flamenco is now the heritage all mankind."
Sources: El País, Diario de Sevilla, the Associated Press and Wikipedia.
