International Flamenco Day

International Flamenco Day is November 16, which commemorates the day on which flamenco was named Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco. The appointment was made by the Junta de Andalucía, in order to disseminate the art. For this reason, several events are usually held outside Andalusia.

Flamenco is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the gitano subculture of the region of Andalusia, and also having historical presence in Extremadura and Murcia. In a wider sense, the term is used to refer to a variety of both contemporary and traditional musical styles typical of southern Spain. Flamenco is closely associated to the gitanos of the Romani ethnicity who have contributed significantly to its origination and professionalization. However, its style is uniquely Andalusian and flamenco artists have historically included Spaniards of both gitano and non-gitano heritage.

The oldest record of flamenco music dates to 1774 in the book Las Cartas Marruecas by José Cadalso.