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Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
The audience were left mesmerised and charmed at the ‘Spanish Flamenco Music Evening’, at the state-of-the-art Katara Opera House on Tuesday.
The venue was packed to full capacity at the event organised by the Spanish embassy in Qatar, in collaboration with Katara Cultural Village Foundation. The musical evening was hosted as part of the celebrations of the National Day of Spain. Those who attended the musical show included Spanish community members, diplomats and their family members and officials of Katara Foundation.
A team of four highly-skilled and well-known Spanish artists flew in especially from Spain to perform at the National Day celebrations. They included classical dancer Ursula Lopez, vocalist Gema Caballero, guitarist Jover Patino and percussionist Raul Dominiguez Soto. It was the first visit and maiden performance in Qatar by the troupe, who keep traveling regularly to various parts of Europe to perform. 
In her welcome speech, Spanish Ambassador to Qatar HE Belen Alfaro said Flamenco music is recognised by the United Nations as Spain’s cultural heritage. “Flamenco is an important part of Spanish culture and it has deep and centuries-old Arab influence on it. Spain has a number of Arabic architectures and we have several Arabic roots words in Spanish language. I believe these similarities will foster cultural relations between Qatar and Spain,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Jose Vicente, chairman of Spain Chamber of Commerce, Qatar Chapter, lauded the performance of the visiting Spanish artists. He said the amazing event marked the beginning of the Spanish National Day celebrations. This would be followed by more events where traditional dancers, singers and other musicians will be performing.
Talking about the Arab influence, Vicente said, “Flamenco links Spanish culture with the Arab culture. We are very happy to introduce it in Qatar.”
Flamenco derives from the culture of Andalusia and has its roots in the centuries before the Arab rule in Spain.
Flamenco has gone through its evolutionary stages which led to its integration into present day’s rock, pop, and blues music, with prominent names of artists like Raimundo Amador, Ketama and Rosario Flores imbued to it.
A rock music group from Grenada that released its album ‘OMEGA’ in 1996, brought the biggest moments for Flamenco music.  
The artists who performed on Wednesday night in Doha at the National Day celebrations, were hosted by Spain’s ambassador to a gala dinner, at Hotel Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Pearl Qatar.
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10/10/2019
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