The Las Colonias Flamenco Cultural Gathering in Huelva was the venue for the awards ceremony of the IV National Fandangos Lyrics Contest 'Calm Sea Waves'. This edition, organized by the Huelva Federation of Flamenco Peñas El Fandango, paid tribute to the renowned singer Paco Toronjo, coinciding with International Fandango Day and the anniversary of his birth.
The event brought together flamenco enthusiasts, members of the gathering, and cultural representatives, who highlighted the importance of Huelva's fandango as a living heritage and a space for literary creation. The three awarded authors, Francisco Antonio Linares Lucena (first prize), Ángeles Mora Álvarez (second), and Francisco Javier Prieto Martín (third), expressed their satisfaction and gratitude for participating in the competition and visiting the Huelva region.
Victoria Prieto, president of the Huelva Federation of Flamenco Peñas El Fandango, thanked the high participation, with 148 entries received from across Spain and international presence, emphasizing the contest's consolidation as a benchmark for creating new fandango lyrics. Appreciation was also extended to sponsors such as the City Council and the Port of Huelva.
A particularly moving moment was the performance of the awarded fandangos by students from the Amparo Correa Association's Singing School of Huelva, who bridged the literary creations of the authors with the transmission of singing to new generations.
The jury, composed of Miguel Angel Fernández Borrego, Ramón Llanes, and Juan José Oña, also recognized three honorable mentions for authors from various locations, reinforcing the contest's reach and its role in the preservation and innovation of Huelva's fandango.
