The Spanish Folkloric Dance Group
The Spanish Folkloric Dance Group
Para Siempre
The Spanish Folkloric Dance Group, Para Siempre, performed in their first major public appearance for the King of Spain at Brisbane’s Expo ’88. At this time, most of the dancers were only young children. After studying and performing together for almost 20 years, the group has now grown into a bewitching ensemble of young ladies who have graced the dance stages of many of Brisbane’s and Australia’s multicultural dance events. Events such as the Woodford Folk Festival, Australian Celtic Festival (Glen Innes), Warana, the National Folk Festival (Canberra) and Brisbane’s Multicultural Festival (Roma St Parklands). All five dancers were born in Australia to Spanish parents and they hold dear to them their family ancestory. They frequently travel back to their parent’s homeland, Spain, to study.
Para Siempre pride themselves on their diverse and rich repertoire of Spanish dance. Audiences attending their performances will experience the purity and beauty of traditional folk dances as well as the contemporary edge of their more modern, original choreographies. Expect to see ever popular Spanish elements such as elegant costumes, castanets, intricate footwork and fiery emotion.
Perhaps not so expected from a Spanish dance group is their presentation of rarely seen folk dances from Galicia, a province in the North West of Spain with a strong Celtic history. Galicia is the most forgotten of the seven Celtic nations. Even so, it has some of the oldest Celtic traditions dating back to the 6th century BC when Galicia fell under Celtic influence.
The remains of fortified settlements (castros) and monumental stone circles have survived in many parts of Galicia. Most significantly, though, is the strength of Celtic mythology, customs and culture in the Galician way of life. Cut off from the rest of Spain by mountains, Galicians have always been attracted to the Celtic countries across the Atlantic. Galician music and dance is celebrated by its people. The sound of the Galician bagpipe, drums and lively folk dances can be seen regularly at local festivals and religious celebrations. When watching the Spanish Folkloric Dance Group perform dances from Galicia, traditional Celtic sounds and movements are evident but what makes it so captivating is the infusion of Spanish and gypsy elements.
