Since its inception, the Israeli flamenco community has existed in constant dialogue with Spain. Local flamenco artists maintain an open line for dialogue between Israel and Spain, making frequent pilgrimages to the birthplace of their art form. Over the years, Israeli festivals have hosted top flamenco artists from around the world, with performances that have been packed to the brim with local fans.

But what happens when that pathway becomes increasingly narrow? In the shadow of the current political situation, international travel has become nearly impossible, preventing Spanish artists from visiting and performing in Israel. The vital exchange between Israeli artists and their counterparts in Spain, a lifeline to the flamenco community, is burdened by endless difficulties.

One of the tenets of flamenco performances is the collaborations between artists. Performances are born from the convergence of talents from different disciplines, be it dancers, musicians, painters, or singers. Often, these meetings lead to the formation of new forms of flamenco expression.

Initiating international flamenco co-production

“This was not an easy year to foster collaborations with foreign artists,” says Adva Yermiyahu, artistic director of the FEX Festival. “We didn’t give up, and the artists who are coming believe in Israel, believe in flamenco, and in the art in Israel, and are making a huge effort to come.”

Three years ago, when Yermiyahu founded FEX, she imagined a future in which the festival would initiate co-productions between flamenco artists from around the world. Yermiyahu, a celebrated choreographer and performer, was born and raised in Israel and has been splitting her time between Tel Aviv and Spain since 2008. Though about to give birth to her second child, she has taken on much of the festival’s production alone, seeing it as her mission to keep the line open for flamenco artists.

SHARON SAGI and Gal Gorfung in ‘Tres.’ (credit: DAVID KAPLAN)
SHARON SAGI and Gal Gorfung in ‘Tres.’ (credit: DAVID KAPLAN)
“This year’s collaborations are very broad, between flamenco and different genres like jazz, visual art, video, Israeli music, contemporary dance, installation, and painting. The festival opened up,” adds Yermiyahu.

The festival will take place over three days in Jaffa, with performances at the Mandel Cultural Center and Habait Theatre, boasting 11 performances, among them 10 world premieres. The program includes a combination of ticketed and free events as well as performances for the whole family.

One of the biggest collaborations in the festival, De Madrid al Cielo, features Nino de Los Reyes, the first bailaor (flamenco dancer) to win a Latin Grammy, and acclaimed guitarist Dan Ben Lior. “It is a performance of two of Madrid’s jazz geniuses; one from the world of dance and the body, and the other from the world of the guitar,” explains Yermiyahu.

“Another collaboration, Alma Galbi, is between recognized Madrid-based guitarist Manuel Cazas and singer Tula Ben Ari, who are creating a flamenco homage to Ofra Haza, with flamenco arrangements of all her biggest hits.”

Another intriguing meeting of talents will come to the stage in Tzozelet, by Naya Binghi, Sigalit Landau, and Shushan, hosting Yair Farber and Ayelet Ori Benita. This performance will bring together visual art, video, dance, and live music.

As the name would imply, the performance Tres has three creations by Adi Akiva, Adi Movdat, and Mor Shani, and Sharon Sagi and Gal Gorfung. Shani is a choreographer who hails from the contemporary field, having made works for the Inbal Dance Theater. The piece brings flamenco face to face with contemporary dance, creating a meeting point between veteran flamenco dancer Sharon Sagi and contemporary dancer Gal Gorfung.

Since its foundation in 2023, FEX has placed an emphasis on young audiences, hosting performances that are suited to families and free of charge. This year, the festival will present Fex for the Family in the courtyard of the Mandel Cultural Center. This will include Tablao Flamenco Experimental as well as a performance by the flamenco students of the Mandel Cultural Center, an open flamenco class, and creativity stations.

In addition to the performances, the festival will host a master class with Nino de Los Reyes and a lecture by Dr. Idit Suslik about interdisciplinary practices in contemporary flamenco, as well as open talks with artists following the performances.

FEX Festival will take place on July 10, 11 and 12. For more information, visit www.fexfestival.co.il.