Carmen Linares, Doctor Honoris Causa: "I have given my life for flamenco, but flamenco has given it back to me in spades"
The University of Seville has celebrated the investiture ceremony attended by colleagues such as Arcángel, Miguel Poveda and Vanesa Aibar.
Carmen Pacheco Rodríguez, known as Carmen Linares, has been laureated as Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Seville (Spain) on the occasion of her "determined and sustained commitment to culture as the main engine for the transformation of Humanity, singling out flamenco art as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Andalusia and the role of women in its development and construction", in the words of the rector of the University, Miguel Ángel Castro.
During the ceremony, the cantaora was surrounded by academics, family and friends, including some of the main artists of the flamenco scene, such as Arcángel, Miguel Poveda or Vanesa Aibar.
An emotional investiture ceremony
The investiture ceremony was opened by the choir of the University of Seville performing 'Canticorum iubilo', by G. F. Haendel, while the doctoral candidate Carmen Pacheco entered the Rector's Hall.
The laudatio was given by Cristina Cruces, professor of Social Anthropology and mentor of the doctoral candidate. In her speech she praised the long and fruitful artistic career of the cantaora, "going from the mining area of Linares to the tablaos of Madrid, without neglecting the importance of 'genealogy', where the family is considered a fundamental pillar for learning".
In addition, the extensive tour of artistic and academic awards that Carmen Linares has received during her career was cited, highlighting the Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts that she received last year along with María Pagés.
Miguel Ángel Castro then presented Carmen Pacheco with the Book of Science, the medal, the laureate's cap, the ring and the gloves, as elements of the Doctor Honoris Causa protocol.
Carmen Pacheco highlights
As soon as Carmen Pacheco's turn came, she thanked the University of Seville for the recognition and stressed that flamenco is an art that justifies itself and that the University of Seville has been a pioneer in bringing this art to the academy. "It is only fair to bring Seville to the forefront. It was the Universidad Hispalense that first opened its doors to the arte jondo", recalled the laureate.
She also thanked the flamenco art itself for everything it has given her: "I have given my life for flamenco, but flamenco has given it back to me in spades".
Relevance of the event
This recognition of Carmen Linares is of great importance for the world of flamenco, as it recognizes the important work of women in the development and construction of flamenco art.
In addition, this act also highlights the importance of bringing flamenco to the academy and recognizing it as an intangible cultural heritage of Andalusia.
In short, the investiture of Carmen Linares as Doctor Honoris Causa is a recognition of flamenco art and Andalusian culture as a whole.
