Association
The Helsinki Flamenco Association was founded in 1993 to bring together flamenco enthusiasts and activists in and around Helsinki, as well as to promote awareness of flamenco in Finland. The Association has later attracted members also from other parts of Finland and even from Estonia. It now has some 300 active members.
Peña
The Association’s facilities, more commonly known as ‘peña’, are located in the centre of Helsinki, Eerikinkatu 27. Since facilities suitable for flamenco are scarce in the city, peña’s two dance studios are in active use all day round. They can be rented for both teaching and practising purposes. The facilities are mainly offered to members, but non-members can rent them if available – although at a higher price. Peña is also used for festivities, such as the Association’s spring and Christmas parties.
Festival Flamenco de Helsinki
The Helsinki Flamenco Festival In February 1997 the Helsinki Flamenco Association arranged the first flamenco festival in the capital.
The second edition was organised two years later and, thanks to the activity and team spirit of aficionados in Helsinki, the festival
then became an annual event. It has put on top performers, such as Vicente Amigo, José Antonio Rodríguez, Belén Maya, Mayte Martín,
Esperanza Fernández, Rafaela Carrasco, Ángel Rojas, Carlos Rodríguez, Miguel Poveda, Chicuelo, Mercedes Ruíz, Rafael Campallo and
Andrés Marín. In addition to Spanish visitors, the festival aims to present Finnish flamenco art by regularly producing new Finnish
flamenco works and performances. Festival premieres have included, for example, La Kalevala in 2003 and ¡La Máscara! in 2005. Apart from
the main concerts, the festival offers activities such as dance, song and guitar courses, as well as exhibitions. Members get a discount
on tickets and course fees. Over the years the Helsinki Flamenco Festival has evolved into a small-scale flamenco feast of high
international quality.
Festival Flamenco de Helsinki
Letra
The Association’s magazine, Letra, is published four times a year as a 30–40-page edition, which members get as a membership benefit. Letra contains information about topical issues and events, reviews and interviews, as well as articles on the history, philosophy and theory of flamenco. The magazine aims to actively follow flamenco events in both Finland and Spain.
Other activities
In addition to the Festival, the Helsinki Flamenco Association arranges other events when possible. These include club happenings, sevillanas parties, as well as dance and music courses. Members get a discount on tickets to all events.
Interested in joining The Helsinki Flamenco Association?
The Association’s membership fee is 25 euros. When joining for the first time, you will also be charged a one-time fee of 10 euros. If your household includes several flamenco enthusiasts, you may be eligible for family membership. The annual fee for family members is 12 euros and includes all membership benefits, excluding Letra.
How to join:
Pay the fee of 35 euros to the Association’s account (IBAN FI17 2065 1800 0217 07 , BIC NDEA FIHH), using 1012 as the reference number. Since messages included in a reference number payment will not be forwarded to the recipient, please provide your address, phone number and email address to Anne Lamberg- Laitinen by email, anne.lamberg[at]flamenco.fi, or by phone, +358 40 521 2763. You will get a membership card and the Letra editions published previously in the year in approximately two weeks. Don’t forget to give us your address so that we can send you your magazine!
Support membership
Individuals, companies and associations can support the Helsinki Flamenco Association by joining as support members. Support members get the
Association’s quarterly magazine, Letra, in which the support members’ names and logos can be published. Support members are also entitled to
two member-priced tickets to events arranged by the Helsinki Flamenco Association.
Support member fees are €50 (individuals) and €100
(companies and associations). Further information about support membership is available by email at flamenco[at]flamenco.fi and by phone at
+358 40 716 3134.
