Andalusian folklore

Flamenco, the colourful patios of corralón houses overflowing with plants… Certain elements together form the soul of Andalusian culture and make this region one of a kind

There are many possible explanations for how Andalusia came to be so unique. Many cultural, artistic and historical arguments have been put forward. Explanations for Andalusia’s character can be found in anthropology, in its heritage and its urban design. Andalusia can be discovered in its lyrics, its singers and music, in its celebrations of life and of death.

The term folklore, increasingly used in a pejorative sense, carries a clear message, albeit one that seems distant in today’s society: the lore, or traditions, of the folk.

This meeting of cultural values is what defines a people. There are countless symbols which define Andalusia. But climate and the intermingling of cultures have arguably had the greatest effect on the Andalusian character.

The climate, for example, has shaped the region’s architecture and urban planning, which ensures that the fierce sun never prevents life from being lived outside. That’s why the patio has been such a long-standing feature of Andalusian architecture. The corralón, a traditional building from the working-class neighbourhoods of Málaga, is an example of this, with its communal patio uniting the various homes.

We invite you to come see life inside a corralón, the building that was so prevalent in Málaga’s Trinidad and El Perchel neighbourhoods, some of which survive today, carefully decorated and cared for by their residents.

And flamenco? No discussion of Andalusian culture would be complete without it. We offer you the chance to get to know the key features of flamenco in an observational workshop, bearing in mind that flamenco is a discipline that requires training.

The placement of the body, control of the tempo and melody of flamenco’s rhythmic patterns, improvisation: these are all crucial aspects of training in Andalusia’s most famous cultural phenomenon.

These workshops allow you to explore flamenco dancing, the use of the cajón [flamenco’s box drum]; you could take part in a dance workshop accompanied by a guitarist and cantaor [flamenco singer] or go to an intimate cuadro flamenco [a show with just one flamenco dancer, singer and guitarist] Immerse yourself in Andalusia.