Identidad: La libertad de ser/ Identity: The freedom to be is the title of the 12th edition of the Milano Flamenco Festival at the Teatro Strehler from 25 to 28 June. The programme is offering three performances - two showing for the first time in Italy - which offer an in-depth examination of the identity of the female universe and the freedom of expression.
The Festival opens with ¡Viva!, the new creation by Manuel Liñan who, following his successful appearance in 2018, returns to the Piccolo with a new show (25 June); this will be followed by  De la concepción with the María Moreno Company (26 June) and lastly Distopía with the Patricia Guerrero company (28 June).
 

¡Viva! is a celebration of the freedom of movement and expression. A new provocative creation in which Manuel Liñan, together with six bailaores/dancers, celebrates the female universe of Flamenco - the mujer bailaora - by presenting the plurality of dance, examining the various distinct forms in existence and underlining their uniqueness. A courageous work which disrupts the highly codified world of flamenco: gender identity is no longer a taboo and the transformation takes shape. A transformation through which the six protagonists explore the fascinating female world, creating a body to which they aspire and with which they are free to express themselves. A transformation which does not represent a form of travestiment, but rather a way to express their own nudity and dual identity which is naturally theirs.

Manuel Liñán
The jury, on awarding the Premio Nacional de Danza to Manuel Liñán in 2017, underlined “the richness of his interpretation which feeds on various influences, widening the horizons of Flamenco”. For Liñan, the search for new horizons is a necessity which - not without risks - he assumes with pride and conviction. In his world, the deep-set roots of tradition and the modernity of the current era co-exist. 

Milano Flamenco Festival is an event organised by Punto Flamenco AC with the artistic direction of Maria Rosaria Mottola and the support of the Ministerio Educaciòn, Cultura y Deporte de España – Instituto Nacional de las Artes Escénicas y la Música (INAEM) and the collaboration of the Istituto Cervantes.