Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts
Government of Spain · 2010, presented by the Prince of Asturias.
The myth
The Myth
Born of the compás and forged on stage. This is the story of how a dancer from Córdoba turned flamenco into a universal phenomenon.
Photo: courtesy of the artist
Joaquín Cortés (Córdoba, 1969) is, arguably, the dancer who took flamenco farthest. Of a Gypsy family, he found in dance his language and his destiny. At fifteen he joined the Spanish National Ballet, gracing New York's Metropolitan and Moscow's Kremlin Palace. But his ambition lay elsewhere: to create a language of his own. In 1992 he founded his company and stepped onto the world. He never looked back.
- Córdoba · 1969
The origin
Of a Gypsy family, the compás was his mother tongue. Dance, a destiny written before birth.
- National Ballet · 1984
The discipline
At fifteen he joins the Spanish National Ballet. He graces New York's Metropolitan and Moscow's Kremlin.
- Cibayí · 1992
The break
He founds his own company and steps onto the world, fusing flamenco, ballet and contemporary dance.
- Pasión Gitana · 1995
The phenomenon
Costumes by Giorgio Armani, a tour across more than forty countries and over 1.5 million spectators. Flamenco fills stadiums and the Royal Albert Hall.
- Live · 2001
The acclaim
He premieres «Live» at London's Royal Albert Hall. Film with Carlos Saura and a place in popular culture worldwide.
- Calé · 2009
The emotion
A work dedicated to his mother. Premio Lunas at Mexico's National Auditorium. Roots, memory and duende in their purest form.
- Gold Medal · 2010
The recognition
The Government of Spain awards him the Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts, presented by the Prince of Asturias, for 25 years of career.
- Esencia
The present
The return. His most personal work: a lifetime of dance once again at the service of art.
In his own words
Flamenco is universal now: everyone comes, and everyone is moved.
I began by fusing styles, and I still do. As long as the formula works, why change it?
On stage I can bare my soul, feel free, play.
I feel like a universal Gypsy, proud to carry Spanish culture to the world.
Joaquín Cortés
Awards & recognition
A decorated legend
Premio Lunas del Auditorio
National Auditorium of Mexico · 2009 and 2010, for «Calé».
Costumes by Giorgio Armani
Design for the «Pasión Gitana» tour.
Royal Albert Hall · Metropolitan · Kremlin
The world's greatest stages.
Climate change ambassador
Recognition of his social commitment.
Film with Carlos Saura
«Flamenco» and a place in popular culture.
Legacy & future
Fire is not inherited: it is lit every night.
Covers across the world, stages on five continents, a name that transcended dance to become an icon. But the legend does not live off its past: every performance is a first time, every compás a reaffirmation. Joaquín Cortés's legacy is not an archive; it is a flame still burning. The best is yet to be danced.