We deeply regret that not all the great artists can be present in this edition of Suma. Every day they sing, dance and play the guitar better, our apologies to those who are not here... but Suma would have to run all year.

The 2010 edition of Suma Flamenca closed on the night of the downpour. It was our tribute to Enrique Morente, Buitrago de Lozoya, Barbero de Picasso, in the pouring rain, and it never occurred to us that it was almost the maestro’s farewell. Suma Flamenca, Teatros del Canal, general rehearsal, Enrique with a cap and a broom, sweeping the stage and no one understood, at times with a glance and the friendship of years you can understand everything about El Barbero de Picasso.

Suma Flamenca is now six years old, a very brilliant child who is honouring flamenco. Madrid and the art deserve it. This year we are opening our stages to other music from the same family, flamenco is like that, from Rumania, Hungary, Israel and France.

In the Sala Roja de Teatros del Canal, Teatro de La Abadía, Centro Cultural Paco Rabal in Vallecas, Castillo de Buitrago de Lozoya, Carlos III in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, La Cabrera and Rivas Vaciamadrid. Young performers who have triumphed and others who are about to do so.

We are opening Suma with Estrella Morente, in memory of a great school, a great dynasty. The dancer Rocío Molina is presenting her new spectacle and Lole Montoya, a singer who will go down in history, is making her debut in Suma with María Toledo opening the evening.

Don Diego “El Cigala” singing with a pure flamenco concert that will be closed by the Rumanian gypsies of Fanfare Shavale. Márta Sebestyén from Hungary and the guitar of Niño Josele who will be presenting his new disc. Belén Maya and Olga Pericet with Bailes alegres para personas tristes. Arcángel and Juan Valderrama, two young maestros of singing. Ángel Rojas will premiere Conversaciones pendientes. Idan Raichel from Israel will be performing with the flamenco artist Diego Guerrero.

After his success in Amsterdam, the maestro Mauricio Sotelo premieres Muerte sin fin in the Teatro Real.

We wanted Madrid flamenco to be recognised, with Caño Roto, a university of the guitar, Madrid Flamenco with the best singing, dancing and guitar playing of the 21st century, Agustín Carbonell “El Bola” with his show Rojo y Rosa and the dancer Nino de los Reyes, making his debut here. Tomatito’s guitar, Alfonso Salmerón’s singing, the freshness of Las Migas and, from France, Renaud García-Fons, winner of the Giraldillo de Oro for Interpretation in Sevilla.

Four nighttime venues join the 2011 Suma Flamenca, Corral de la Morería, Casa Patas, Faena Madrid and Colectivo La Latina.

Flamenco yesterday, today, always, Suma Flamenca.

Juan Verdú