Flamenco and Spain, for 400 years, you could not have one without the other. Despite it being named an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" by UNESCO in 2010, this most Spanish of art forms is in serious danger of dying out.

The pandemic has forced many flamenco venues to close permanently, leaving dancers and musicians with nowhere to perform.

The industry has asked for government help, but time may be running out.

With its dramatic movements, passion and color, Flamenco is the quintessential Spanish art form. But it is now in serious danger of dying out, due to the pandemic.

"I can't remember living through a situation like this before, either in flamenco or culturally, in this country or anywhere in the world," says Antonio Najarro, chief choreographer at El Corral de la Moreria, Madrid's most famous flamenco venue or "Tablao."

READ MORE

Where did COVID-19 come from? 

Suez Canal unblocked: What next?

Rehoming endangered hedgehogs
 

Royalty and rockstars

For 65 years, El Corral hosted everyone from royalty to rockstars, as they watched the greatest names in Flamenco not only on the stage but around and with the audience, a truly immersive experience.

However, last year's lockdown meant its main customer base, overseas tourists, stayed away, resulting in the collapse of the business.

Speaking to CGTN Europe, Najarro said seeing the venue empty was heartbreaking: "I feel devastated. This place is the epicenter of the flamenco world. It used to be full of people who used to enjoy flamenco up close and personal. Live it the way it should be lived."

A Plea to government

Earlier this month, industry leaders met with government officials. Spain's Ministry of Culture said it will study the issue, but so far there has been no financial help.

Juan Manuel Del Rey is the owner of Corral De La Moreria. Speaking to CGTN Europe, he said time was fast running out for the Tablaos.

"After 12 months with flamenco venues shut down, assuming all the costs of that and with no incomes, 30 percent of flamenco venues are gone forever, 30 percent of this world unique cultural heritage. We just asked for protection, support so this cultural heritage called tablao flamenco doesn't disappear," he said.

According to Del Rey, approximately 95 percent of flamenco artists get their work from venues like the El Corral.

So with tablaos now closing across Spain, there is genuine fear the lights could go out on Flamenco permanently.