This has been going on for 35 years. 35 years of music, dance and partying. The Nîmes Flamenco Festival returns from January 9 to 18 with an anniversary edition event which, coupled with an even more extensive off-festival, will take over the four corners of the city and give it once again, for ten days, to the rhythm of the zapateos, tunes from “Nîmes-sur-Guadalquivir”.
“Ten days of shows, where Andalusian culture will be in the spotlight, offering everyone the opportunity to experience unique momentsrejoices the Mayor of Nîmes, Jean-Paul Fournier. This unmissable event, full of passion and emotion, is a true tribute to the Iberian soul, at the heart of Nîmes identity.”
7660
spectators during the previous edition
20
shows for this 2025 edition, including 4 free, a young audience and 2 strolls in town
7
performance venues, and also 4 other locations for cultural activities (exhibitions, films, etc.)
70
artists welcomed for this 35th anniversary
1991. The first “Flamenco Night” is launched. Around established artists, such as Lole y Manuel and La Negra, young talents challenge each other in a flamenco guitar competition. From 1992 to 1996, the competition developed; it soon extends over a week and highlights the rising values of singing, dancing and guitar. At the same time, shows multiply in the evening. The “Flamenco Week” welcomes, among others, Fosforito, Paco de Lucia, Chano Lobato and Fernanda de Utrera.
Over the years, the big names in Andalusian art have come… and returned. The Théâtre de Nîmes multiplies its actions: conferences, exhibitions or readings are added to the performances, showcasing the artists and their works and bringing together aficionados and the general public.
The Week stretches on, it becomes a Festival in 2004 and the art of flamenco is available in all its forms: singing, dance, guitar, conferences, photographs, and, since 2011, cinema. “Nîmes is the European capital of Flamenco”even says José María Velázquez-Gaztelu, one of the greatest specialists of the genre, renowned writer, poet, speaker and journalist.
“It’s a very important event, which promotes the city internationally, underlines Sophie Roulle, Deputy Assistant for Culture. With this 2025 edition, beyond the shows scheduled at the Theater, we wanted it to be deployed in numerous places (museums, high schools, concert halls, strolls in the street, etc.) and involve most of the cultural actors in the region. . This is both a first and a desire for the future.” 35 years later, the Nîmes Flamenco Festival has continued to grow.
