Duende and ethnicity: confessions of a foreign flamenca - Expoflamenco

A few days ago, the renowned cantaor Manuel Moreno Maya El Pele stated in an interview for ExpoFlamenco that “duendes don’t exist, what matters is the emotion, the mood of the artist doing the singing, playing the guitar or dancing”. This is a topic that often comes up in the flamenco community. This thing called “duende”, is just a myth, something devised to make flamenco more mysterious and esoteric?

What Does “Duende” Mean in Flamenco?

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Duende International Flamenco Festival 2011 - highlights of performances

Flamenco Alcala

Duende Flamenco Festival 2023, Aga Khan Museum

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What Does “Duende” Mean in Flamenco?

Duende Flamenco Festival 2022, Aga Khan Museum

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Main Home - Expoflamenco

Main Home - Expoflamenco

Duende Flamenco Festival 2023, Aga Khan Museum

Tale of a bailaora on her way - Expoflamenco

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Main Home - Expoflamenco