Federico García Lorca and "El Duende"
“EL DUENDE MUST BE AWAKENED FROM THE DEEPEST CHAMBERS OF THE BLOOD”
- F. GARCÍA LORCA
Federico García Lorca was a leading figure in 20th century Spanish literature, known for his pioneering poetic style, his deep connection to Andalusian cultural traditions and for important lasting contributions to the cultural heritage of the Spanish nation. In 1993, from his study ‘Juego y teoría del Duende’ he defines El Duende: ‘It is a power and not an act, it is a struggle and not a thought. I have heard an old master guitarist say: ‘The duende is not in the throat; the duende rises inside from the soles of the feet’.
What is El Duende?
There is no unanimous definition of what duende is, but we must go to what renowned artists and flamenco scholars have said about it!
El duende is known as the ability of an artist, whether singer, dancer or musician, to fill the stage with his or her mere presence and move the audience with the expression of his or her art. It is not so much about the style or the absolute correctness of the discipline as about a gift, the state of grace that allows the artist to become a living expression of flamenco art.
El Duende is an emotional and spiritual force that is considered fundamental to great authentic flamenco performances. It manifests itself through an intense passion and emotion that seems to connect the artist with something transcendental, generating unique and unpredictable performances that move away from the purely technical, seeking maximum expressiveness and connection with the essence of the art of flamenco.
