The initiative is the result of the cooperation between the Spanish Embassy in Hungary and the Cervantes Institute in Budapest. The event is important in terms of the close cultural ties that will exist over the coming 1 months between the three countries in the EU Trio: Spain, Belgium and Hungary.

Spain is represented at this important event by the Director of the Cervantes Institute, Carmen Caffarel, and the Spanish Ambassador to Hungary, Enrique Pastor y de Gana. Likewise, the President of the Republic of Hungary, László Sólyom, has also confirmed his attendance along with other dignitaries.

The Nuevo Ballet de España's performance marks the beginning of the commemorative events planned by the Cervantes Institute in Budapest for the occasion of the Spanish Presidency of the EU.

The cultural program for the coming months is made up of a wide range of activities such as the “20 Dresses for Europe” exhibition (24 March, Petofï Literary Museum) or the Ellas Crean festival concerts (the Spaniards Esperanza Fernández and Najwa Nimri, and the Hungarian Bea Palya). All this is in addition to the extensive programme of activities designed around the centenary commemoration of the birth of Miguel Hernández.

Nuevo Ballet Español

The coming together of Spanish dance and flamenco characterises the “Sangre Flamenca” production by the Nuevo Ballet Español Company. At its artistic heart lies the essence of the hundred-year-old cultural tradition that is flamenco, although it also combines new forms of musical expression such as jazz or funk.

The Nuevo Ballet Español Company, founded in 1995, is directed by Ángel Rojas and Carlos Rodríguez, winners of the Community of Madrid Award for Culture 2006 in the dance category.

Rojas and Rodríguez met in 1994 when receiving the Best Dancer Award at the National Choreography Contest and joined José Antonio Ruiz's company, Ballets Españoles, as solo dancers.

During their 12 year career they have brought classic and modern dance, farrucas, fandangos, alegrías, live music, jeans and long-tailed flamenco dresses to the stage, but they have never allowed the flamenco to become diluted. They have created original productions such as “Gallo de Pelea”, “NBE X 5” and “Furia”. In 2000 the company received the UP Dance Award for Best Spanish and Flamenco Dance Company.

Some of their most outstanding choreographies are “Romeo y Julieta”, “Don Juan”, “El Alma”, “Tierra”, “Baile de máscaras” and “Dualia”, the latter commissioned by the Spanish National Ballet.

For the last two years the Nuevo Ballet Español has been the resident ballet company in the town of Móstoles. Sangre Flamenca, their latest creation.