The 2002 'Premio Nacional de Danza' is awarded to María Pagés in recognition of her creativity

The bailaora Sevillana is grateful "that innovation is valued in a traditional art form"

Flamenco-world.com

Baile flamenco is consolidating its stronghold within the Spanish dance scene. Spain's National Institute of Music and the Performing Arts (Inaem), a branch of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, chose María Pagés to receive the coveted 2002 Premio Nacional de Danza award for creativity. The bailaora Sevillana is grateful for the fact that "for the first time in history the most important dance award has been given to a flamenco choreographer". Flamenco dancers such as Eva la Yerbabuena, Antonio Gades, Cristina Hoyos and Antonio Canales have been awarded the prize in the past.

"In recognition of her contemporary, dynamic and cinematographic vision of choreography, and of her role in modernizing flamenco and Spanish dance". These were the motives offered by Inaem's jury -headed by director Andrés Amorós - on awarding the 2002 National Dance Award for creativity to María Pagés. The dancer and choreographer giggles that "I'm still waiting for them to explain it to me properly," although she expresses her satisfaction "that innovation is valued in flamenco, the most traditional art form. And that means that flamenco is up there where it belongs".

The fact that the prize was awarded for her creative work and not for performing is a source of pride for María Pagés: "This is an important step for flamenco! This award has already been given to many performers, but it's sensational that for the first time in history the most important dance award has been given to a flamenco choreographer. And maybe that makes its contribution even more beneficial, the fact that it's been awarded to the creative side, not to the performers." María Pagés's permanent smile is a tell-tale sign of her joy on receiving the prize: "This is personally uplifting, and it gives me the assurance I need to keep moving ahead".

Receiving the award alongside María Pagés will be dancer Ángel Corella, from the American Ballet Theatre. Both will receive a cash prize of 30,000 euros. This year the jury comprised the assistant director of Music and Dance, Elena Martín-Asín, Elvira Andrés, Marta Carrasco, José Manuel Garrido, Julio Bravo, Ana Cabo and the prizewinners from last year's edition - dancer Emanuel Berruezo and bailaora Eva la Yerbabuena. Other flamenco artists who've received this distinguished award include Antonio Gades, Cristina Hoyos and Antonio Canales.

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