The Concurso de Cante Flamenco de Lo Ferro is the heart of one of the most important festivals in Spain. Its origin was modest: a meeting at the fiestas of a small town in Murcia.
Esther Merino (Melón de Oro 2017).
The people of Lo Ferro have always been very fond of flamenco, in the houses, in the streets, in the taverns… but there was no fiesta to share it in. Until 1980. That year, taking advantage of the local festivities at the beginning of September, a group of men came up with the idea of holding a singing contest and awarding three prizes of 5,000, 3,000 and 2,000 pesetas.
In a few days, on the 12th of that month, the first edition of “cante aficionado” is held spontaneously. Flamencos from the area were invited and the shows featured the guitar playing of Antonio Fernández, uncle of the current official guitarist of the festival, Antonio Fernández El Torero. Sebastián Escudero is considered to be the person who took the lead in organising the contest, so he is officially the Founder of Lo Ferro Flamenco, as well as its Artistic Director.
Continued success has led Lo Ferro to celebrate its 43rd edition in 2023, from 24 to 30 July. Its sponsors defend that it is more than a festival, that it is a meeting of friends who enjoy the art of flamenco. This is probably why Marifé de Triana, Antonio Canales, Miguel Poveda, Chano Lobato, José Menese, Chocolate, Curro de Utrera, Dolores Abril, Estrella Morente, Rafael Farina… have all passed through it.
Juanito Valderrama en el Festival en 1989.
Niña de la Puebla en 1990 en Lo Ferro.
La Peña and the Melón de Oro award
Parallel to the birth of the festival, Sebastián himself is leading the formation of a peña named after the main local product, the melon. This is the birth of the biggest prize in Lo Ferro and the name of the peña: Melón de Oro (Golden Melon). In addition to its great prestige (this competition is one of the two or three most prestigious competitions in the world),the most important flamenco singers in Spain), 12,000 euros. Another prize, called Molino de Lo Ferro, is worth 5,000 euros, and is based on a cante called ferreña created by Valderrama and later continued by Fosforito. Three further prizes will be awarded.
And the peña is the soul of the whole festival, of the parallel activities that are organised, of the Lo Ferro dance troupe, of the Winter Galas, of the Flamenco Schools… It is supported by the Torre Pacheco Town Council and the Provincial Council and, as a result of the organisation of the competition, a record is being made with the winner, sponsored by the Peña Flamenca Melón de Oro.
Programme 2023
Monday 24 July. Gala Flamenco Schools Gala by the Flamenco and Dance School of the CAES of Torre Pacheco and the Manolete School of Granada. Charity gala. 8€.
Tuesday 25 July. Gala Paco Cepero, Rancapino Chico and Capullo de Jerez. 15€.
Wednesday 26 July. Gala Mayte Martín, Ezequiel Benítez and Antonio Haya “El Jaro”, Melón de Oro 2022. 15€.
Thursday 27 July. First semi-final of cante and Miguel de Tena with Patrocinio hijo. 15€.
Friday 28 July. Second semi-final of the singing contest with the Joaquín Grilo and Cynthia Cano Dance Company. 15€.
Saturday 29 July. Final and Ballet de Lo Ferro. 15€.
