Flamenco

Stomp, stomp, stomp goes a happy foot. Clap, clap, clap go happy hands. A guitar sings a happy, strumming song. Can you hear all my sounds? I love to make music. I also love bright colors. My dancer wears a beautiful dress that swirls and twirls when she moves. It has so many ruffles, it looks just like a big, spinning flower. I am a sound. I am a color. I am a big, happy feeling that makes you want to move. I am a song, a dance, and a feeling all in one. I am Flamenco.

I was born in a warm, sunny place called Spain. My home is a part of Spain called Andalusia. I came to life hundreds of years ago. I was not made by just one person. Many people with big feelings helped create me, especially the Romani people, who are also called Gitanos. They shared their stories and their hearts through my music and my dance. When you see me, a singer sings a powerful song. A guitarist plays a beautiful tune. A dancer stomps their feet and claps their hands. Together, we tell a story without any words. A very long time ago, in the 18th century, people thought I was so special they started writing all about me in books.

Now, I have traveled far away from my home in Spain. I dance and sing all over the big, wide world. I help people everywhere share their feelings, whether they are feeling super happy or a little bit sad. On one very special day, November 16th, 2010, all the people of the world decided I was a treasure that should be protected and shared forever. I am a reminder to everyone to share your feelings and tell your story with a song in your heart and a stomp in your step.