Spanish Dancing History

Dating back several hundreds of years and influenced by several different cultures, Spain has perhaps one of the richest traditions of dance. Romantic, passionate and controversial, Spanish dance has not only inspired admirers around the world, but has influenced Spanish politics and society as well.

Pre-Renaissance

Spain became known for its dances during the Roman Empire and mentions of it have been found in records dating as early as A.D. 550. Spanish dancing before the Renaissance tended to be extraordinarily stiff, formal and was often religious in nature. Not exclusively for recreation, they were intended to celebrate victory in battles, great events and other specific purposes.

15th Century

It was during this century that Spanish dancing became less ritualistic and more carefree, varied and colorful. Each and every strata of society, region and culture would create its own dance. From the Sardana, a Catalonian circle dance, to the Paso Doble, a one-step reminiscent of the bull fight. There was also the Fandango, a joyous dance performed by couples. In addition, court dancing was popular amongst the aristocracy and was beginning to be included in the theater of the time.

Baroque

The Baroque period saw the arrival of the Flamenco. Introduced by Andalusian gypsies and influenced by the Moorish and Jewish cultures, this passionate and spirited dance took Spain by storm. It is, in fact, comprised of 50 different dances, and can be performed either alone or with a partner to the tune of a guitar. The Flamenco would become more structured in later centuries, but always open to interpretation.

The Franco Era

All these and other dances were performed with great frequency. Yet with the rise of Francisco Franco came a program of strict Spanish Nationalism. In an attempt to create one clear Spanish identity, regional languages and customs were banned, including regional dances. There was an effort to promote a stereotype, and dances such as the Flamenco were made to be representative of all Spain. Nevertheless, the various regions carried on with their traditional dances in an act of rebellion against uniformity and repression.

Post-Franco

When Franco fell from power in 1978, there came a backlash against the strictly regimented concept of dance in Spain. There was more experimentation, more freedom of interpretation and expression, and a quest to create new dances that would symbolize a new and modern democratic era. Two recurrent themes in dance at this point were "the essence of Spain" - in the struggle for a new identity, and "tragedy" - to acknowledge the past.