The Flamenco City

The Flamenco City will stand in the Plaza Belén, right in the very heart of Jerez, a cultural complex designed to promote and promulgate the art of flamenco, including the National Flamenco Auditorium, School of Superior Studies in Flamenco, Flamenco Arts Research and Documentation Centre and Flamenco Museum.

The Flamenco City has four main objectives to fulfil: promulgate the art of flamenco in all its facets; provide educational services; promote research into flamenco by means of both direct programmes and others carried out jointly in collaboration with universities and centres specialising in music research; provide a permanent documentation service and maintain a public exhibition of the History of Flamenco.

The Auditorium will be equipped with state of the art technology most suited to this type of entertainment. In addition to basic areas such as stage and dressing rooms there will also be adjoining areas where performers may rehearse. The School of Superior Studies will offer an annual programme of professional development courses aimed at performers, and other courses designed specifically for professional teachers. The third element is the Flamenco Art Research and Documentation Centre, which will initiate different research projects and organise a series of conferences and events, including workshops and meetings for all those involved in the sector. It will also establish research and documentation projects plus a public consultation service specializing in all aspects of flamenco.

The Flamenco Museum will preserve and protect a range of significant objects most closely related to the cultural heritage generated by this venerable art. Divided into four exhibition areas, its aim will be to reconstruct the history of flamenco over the centuries. The museum will totally envelop the visitor in the sights, sounds and rhythm of flamenco art.

In 2003 the Urban Planning Department of Jerez Town Council announced an international architectural competition in order to decide upon the design of the Flamenco City, the jury unanimously awarding the project to a proposal from the Swiss architects Herzog and De Meuron.