THE FLAMENCO ......... SPANISH DANCE

Flamenco - a mixture of traditional Spanish dance and music that can be found in more than 50 different stylistic derivatives. Flamenco is usually performed accompanied by a guitar and percussion, the rhythm is emphasised also by clapping of hands or palms and castanets Flamenco dance performers are called bailaor, singer - cantaor, but guitarist - tacaor
The germ of Flamenco can be found in Moorish musical culture, also it has been highly influenced by the Spanish Gypsy culture. In the 15th century Gypsy colonies settled in Andalusia who were fleeing from the collapsing Byzantine Empire. Their dancing was influenced by the national traditions of Moorish, Jewish and Spanish people. Thus a new style of music emerged and spread around Spain - flamenco that has been maintained and regarded as a national treasure by Spaniards.
Even though initially people in Spain tried to distance themselves from flamenco as introduced by Gypsies, in the 18th century it was widely performed on the small stages of taverns and cantantes.
At the end of the 20th century flamenco included also Cuban melodies and jazz motives but in the dance elements from classical ballet appeared.
Accessories of Flamenco performers. An important attribute of a flamenco dancer is the traditional dress - Bata de cola. Usually full-length, dotted, decorated with many frills and folds. Looking at a dancer dressed like this instinctively the association appears with a traditional Gypsy costume. An integral part of the dance is a play with the skirt of the dress.