Flamenco Divino is the first flamenco magazine that truly gives credit to the international character of this global art. It is trilingual (German, English and Spanish) and has stories by experts, aficionados and artists. The editorial team is headed by Susanne Zellinger, former Editor-In-Chief of the German magazine ‘Anda’ and a well-known presenter at the big flamenco festivals. Magazine Flamenco Divino will be available from January 2020.
Text: Ginette Lavell. Photo: Niklaus Baumberger.
A global art finally gets its international magazine
The high-quality production of this ‘year-book’ with ample room for top-photography invites you to revisit the articles multiple times over, making Flamenco Divino a coffee-table trip to the best of flamenco and Spanish culture, every time you flip the pages.
“Flamenco Divino is a reflection of the current flamenco scene, but also of Spanish culture. It is an incredibly beautiful and interesting world that you can visit here and I just felt like sharing it with you.” – Susanne Zellinger
Flamenco, culture and wine
If you fall in love with flamenco, you take in all the culture that comes with it, especially when you are not Spanish. You learn the language, tuning your ear to the typical Andaluz accent, and you discover new culinary specialities and local customs. Maybe not all will be to your taste but you try them all, as flamenco is the passion of the naturally curious.
And this is where Magazine Flamenco Divino comes in: as an equally inquisitive fellow-aficionado it introduces you to the new developments in this multidimensional art and tells you the stories behind the flamenco of now. Not only that, it will take you to the local Andalusian towns to tell you about the rites and traditions while you both enjoy a glass of fino.
German, Spanish and English
There are articles in three languages in Flamenco Divino: German, Spanish and/or English. This means that some, but not all articles are translated and readers are expected to do some effort to understand the articles in languages that they may not master. A bit unconventional maybe, but most international flamenco lovers are used to overcome language barriers. It could even promote interaction between readers, like “if you translate this English article, I will tell you what is in the Spanish one”.
An eye for photography
Flamenco is a very visual art and has inspired many photographers. Flamenco Divino aims to also give these artists the platform they deserve and this first issue proves this very well. I loved the fact that the cover is not the usual stage picture of a beautiful dancer in a pretty flamenco dress. No, it is a very intriguing portrait of dancer José Manuel Álvarez looking into the lens of Niklas Baumberger. The magazine seems to want to show the person behind the artist. There are more portraits than stage shots and that makes it very intriguing.
A different perspective: from artist to aficionado
When you go to see a flamenco performance, you want to know the background behind it. And where to get it better than from the makers themselves? Flamenco Divino invites artists to write about their art. This issue has a story by Rafael Estévez on the new project ‘El Sombrero’ by Estéves/Paños Cia. and Belén Maya writes an essay on the role of women in flamenco art. But not only the big names find their way to Flamenco Divino. I interviewed two aficionados from The Netherlands: the well-respected classical conductor Ed Spanjaard and the upcoming young talent Conchita Boon.
Some other highlights:
– Photo reportage by Fidel Menenses on the tadition of the ‘La matanza del Cerdo’
– José Javier León on Federico García Lorca
– Sarah Estermann about the world of Vino de Jerez
– The magazine will be sold at Festival the Jerez, Flamenco Festival Luxembourg and Flamenco Festival Dusseldorf and can be ordered.
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The power of print
I believe in the power of print. Even though my daily work in communication and marketing and for my own flamenco platform Flamencoagenda is all about digital and social media, I think that there is extra value in a paper publication at your fingertips to pick up and flip through without being bothered by distractions of the screen. It was one of the reasons to publish the flamenco stories by Tino van der Sman in print. But you have to choose carefully: all thing current, like news and events, are more at home in the digital world. It is the backstory and the beautiful image that deserves the durability of a printed publication.
Last summer I met Susanne Zellinger and Sarah Estermann in Jerez to talk about their idea for Flamenco Divino and I was immediately enthusiastic. With their contacts and knowledge in the flamenco world I was sure this could be something truly innovative in the realm of flamenco media. I am flattered to be asked to help with the branding and promotion of the magazine. With a unique position in the market and the great content curated by Susanne Zellinger, I am sure Flamenco Divino is on it’s way to success. – Ginette Lavell, Flamencoagenda