In the early 2000s, flamenco was ina bit of trouble. Very few students were learning it from older generations, and interest in the art form was decreasing. Customers and dance students were scarce, and many flamenco venuesand schools around Spain closed down. The future of flamenco at that time was very uncertain.
That all changed on November 16, 2010, when flamenco was declaredIntangible Cultural Heritageby UNESCO. The honor was awarded after flamenco’s second nomination, after the first one in 2005 was unsuccessful. This recognition confirmed the importance of this form of artistic expression to the Spanish and also to the world. Interest in flamenco has grown so much in recent years that there are more flamenco schools in Japan than in Spain.
In 2011, the Spanish government declared November 16 International Flamenco Day. Every year, there are concerts and performances for people everywhere in the world to celebrate this splendid art form.
