Albaicin, Granada.
Seeing him on stage is a truly moving spectacle that has drawn ovations from Sydney to New York. Granada-born Manuel Liñán, National Dance Award 2017 (in the Interpretation category), he is one of the great figures of current flamenco. He trained in Granada together with Manolete and Mario Maya and has a special sensitivity for connect his art with today's society, that he has embodied in a multitude of his own works that have garnered all kinds of awards.
After a summer tour of Spain with ¡Viva! –An acclaimed show in which he breaks gender stereotypes–, he will premiere a new show on November 3 within the Suma Flamenca festival in Madrid. “I am looking forward to the culture being activated after the pandemic. I have gone through various states of mind, it has been a very hard stick, it has paralyzed everything. Flamenco, which is widely exported to other countries, has suffered a great break, also creative, which has caused me a lot of concern about the situation of the artists”.
Guide to Granada with Manuel Liñán The World Made Local
Manuel represents modern flamenco, which respects tradition and at the same time knows how to communicate with a current language and perspective, that have managed to resonate throughout the planet. “During the pandemic I didn't want to force myself to be creative, there were times when I gave up, I couldn't find a source of inspiration and I didn't feel like looking for it. But then I was able to start working on a new project and I got excited again”, he confesses to us, happy in the expectation that, After these hard years of Covid-19, he emerges an interesting cultural proposal.
This interview is part of "The World Made Local", a global project of Condé Nast Traveler in the seven international editions, which gives voice to 100 people in 100 countries to find out why his own territory should be your next destination.
How do you connect with your country and how does your personality as an artist fit in with it?
I mostly connect with the way of being of the people, with what you breathe, the culture, the climate... And flamenco was born here and I'm a dancer so it's my comfort zone, I connect a lot.
And what link do you have with your city of birth, Granada?
I live in Madrid but Granada brings me inspiration. It's like magic. My bond with her is magical, I would say it's like a dream. Every time I go back I stay at my parents' house and I feel that it is a city that surrounds you, protects you.
If a friend from abroad visits you in Granada, what restaurants would you take them to?
For breakfast in the Plaza Nueva area. In Granada the tapas are very generous, with a drink they serve you fried fish, a hamburger... so with two or three beers you can eat. That is why I would take him for tapas in the Albaicín, the oldest neighborhood in Granada, to discover this world of tapas. I would take him to Morayma for dinner (Pianista García Carrillo, 2), it has a magical atmosphere, surrounded by a garden in front of the Alhambra, It is a very special enclave.
The Alhambra.
What stores or markets would you take him to?
I would take him for a walk through the very narrow and cobbled streets as in the old days of the Alcaicería, there there is a market with a lot of influence from the Arab world, to buy some djellaba, a silk shawl...
Where would you see a good flamenco show?
In some tablao in Granada. In Madrid, it would take you to the Corral de la Morería (calle de la Morería, 17) or the Tablao de las Carboneras (Conde de Miranda, 1). Very high-level artists are concentrated there, the shows are wonderful.
A place to relax in Granada?
I love the Arab baths in Carrera del Darro, where you can enjoy a very typically Granada experience, in an environment heavily influenced by because of the Arab heritage.
Sacromonte neighborhood.
What is the neighborhood of Granada where interesting things happen?
I would definitely recommend you visit Sacromonte, is a neighborhood where many people live in caves and some also host shows, it is very cultural and very significant. Its very narrow road leads to a very pretty church and, opposite, separated by the Darro river, you find the wonderful monument of the Alhambra and the Generalife Palace, from a very different perspective. It is a very unique and special neighborhood.
Any artistic piece that captures well the essence of Granada?
Paco de Lucía's musical work covers the whole of Spain. the of Enrique Morente transports me to Granada.
Any special corner less typical of your country?
I have a weakness for the wonderful landscapes of Jerez de la Frontera and the coast of Cádiz.
Why should visitors choose Spain over other destinations?
For me, what Spain has is a lot of uniqueness. We have a very special climate and, in addition, we are now experiencing an important creative moment. I think that after the pandemic there is going to be a very interesting cultural resurgence. Besides, there is its gastronomy, its magical places (the Alhambra, the mosque of Córdoba, Galicia...), how the people and culture welcome you. Spain has it all.