Agency for Cultural Affairs Grants Approval: New Three-Year Project Launches — Kickoff Event 'Tateyama Flamenco Festival 2026' Announced

◼️ Carrying Forward a Culture Since 1995 into the Next Era

~Tateyama's flamenco culture, nurtured over a quarter of a century, begins a new journey toward the future~

The Japan Flamenco Association (ANIF), in partnership with the Chiba Prefectural Foundation for Cultural Promotion, has been selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Grant for the Promotion of Arts and Culture, specifically the 'Support Program for Regional Activity Base Formation through Collaboration between Theaters/Music Halls and Artistic Groups'. The association will launch the 'Nanso Flamenco Cultural Foundation Project', a three-year initiative starting in FY2026 (Reiwa 8).

As the kickoff event, the 'Tateyama Flamenco Festival 2026' will be held from August 6 (Thu) to 10 (Mon), 2026, over five days, centered at the Chiba Nanso Cultural Hall.

Since 1995, in Nanso and Tateyama, a unique flamenco culture has flourished through the 'National University Flamenco Festival', fostering interaction among citizens, students, and professionals. The city of Tateyama, known for its warm climate, ocean, and flowers reminiscent of Southern Europe, has collaborated with the National Student Flamenco Federation (FLESPON), established the same year, along with the Tateyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry Junior Chamber (YEG) and local citizens, passing down this tradition for over 25 years.

Collaborative performance with FLESPON and Tateyama City's mascot character 'Dappee'

However, due to the 2019 typhoon that struck the Boso Peninsula and the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the festival, previously led by the local government, was temporarily discontinued.

Still, the flame of culture did not go out.

Through collaboration between FLESPON and the Tateyama YEG, supported by the Japan Flamenco Association (ANIF), cultural exchange and traditions have been sustained by private-sector efforts.

Building upon these five years of perseverance, the Japan Flamenco Association now takes the lead in launching a new cultural project in collaboration with the Chiba Prefectural Foundation for Cultural Promotion and the Chiba Nanso Cultural Hall, marking the revival of the 'Tateyama Flamenco Festival'.

◼️ Not a 'Revival' — But a 'Reboot'

Chiba Nanso Cultural Hall (Tateyama City)

This project does not aim merely to revive the former festival.

Instead, it seeks to inherit the culture cultivated over the past 25 years while building a sustainable cultural foundation through collaboration among theaters, artistic groups, local communities, citizens, government, and educational institutions — one that extends beyond single performances.

In addition to stage performances, the project will include outreach touring programs, workshops, community exchanges, and video production initiatives, creating a new cultural cycle based in Tateyama. In the future, the vision includes realizing an international residential festival where the entire region becomes a stage for culture.

Opening Gala: Special Guitar Performance

◼️ 'Flamenco and the Present of Spanish Music'

(From left in photo) Hitoshi Okuyama, Cañizares, Daisuke Suzuki

On August 6, the Opening Gala will launch the festival with a special program centered on Manuel de Falla, the great Spanish composer celebrating his 150th birth anniversary.

Performers include Cañizares, a world-renowned flamenco guitarist; Daisuke Suzuki, a leading classical guitarist in Japan; and Hitoshi Okuyama, a pioneering figure in Japan's flamenco guitar scene.

The first part will feature masterpieces by Falla, including 'Seven Spanish Folk Songs', 'Life is Short', 'The Three-Cornered Hat', and 'Love the Magician'. The second part will present signature pieces by Cañizares and Okuyama, culminating in a unique collaboration possible only among these three artists. Three top-tier musicians from different fields — global flamenco, Japanese classical, and Japanese flamenco — will engage in a genre-crossing musical dialogue on the theme of 'the present of Spanish music'.

Additionally, this performance is part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' FY2026 'Support Program for Children's Performing Arts Experience at Theaters and Music Halls', providing children with opportunities to experience high-quality performing arts.

◼️ Creating a Grand Festival Across Generations

On August 10, the Grand Festival will bring together approximately 50 university students from FLESPON-affiliated universities, around 15 professional artists from the Japan Flamenco Association, and citizen participants. Students, citizens, and professionals will unite on one stage, transcending generations and roles. This finale will symbolize the 'Tateyama-style flamenco culture' passed down for 25 years and mark a new starting point.

The finale of ANIF's 'The Power of Flamenco' Grand Festival, performed in January 2024 at the Chiba Nanso Cultural Hall, will serve as the new starting point

◼️ The Vision for Three Years Ahead

The project aims to create a residential international festival akin to Seville's 'Bienal de Flamenco', held biennially, or Jerez's 'Festival de Jerez', held annually — where people from around the world visit, and culture thrives throughout the region.

Additionally, with uniquely Japanese characteristics, the project aims to create an open cultural exchange platform centered on flamenco, integrating Spanish cuisine, wine, beer, and regional tourism, enabling participation across genres and generations.

◼️ Comments

Hideki Ishii (Director, Chiba Prefectural Foundation for Cultural Promotion / Chiba Nanso Cultural Hall)

We believe theaters should not only present performing arts but also nurture local culture and serve as hubs connecting people. We are delighted to collaborate with the Japan Flamenco Association to carry forward the flamenco culture nurtured in Tateyama for 25 years into the future. We look forward to seeing a new cultural cycle emerge from Tateyama through this project.

Masami Seto (Board Member in Charge of Planning, Japan Flamenco Association / Secretary-General)

Our goal is not a one-time large-scale event. We aim to cultivate a place where people gather around the art of flamenco, learn, express themselves, and wish to return. Through loose connections between theaters, communities, students, citizens, and artists, we hope flamenco culture will take root in Tateyama. This festival and the three-year project mark the first step toward that vision.

◼️ Event Overview

Project Name Nanso Flamenco Cultural Foundation Project

Kickoff Event Tateyama Flamenco Festival 2026

Dates August 6 (Thu) – 10 (Mon), 2026

Venue Chiba Nanso Cultural Hall and other locations

Performers (Japan Flamenco Association Board Members, in alphabetical order) Keisuke Arata / Takamitsu Ishizuka / Shirou Ijyuin / Hikaru Imada / Mayumi Kajita / Katsuhiko Katagiri / Keiko Kawashima / Tomoko Kobayashi / Hiroki Sato / Hideo Suzuki / Masumi Suzuki / Yasuko Sogabe / Mahoko Tezuka / Tomoko Horie / Kaoru Watanabe

Organizer Japan Flamenco Association (ANIF)

Collaborating Organizer (Co-host) Chiba Prefectural Foundation for Cultural Promotion

Grant Support (Entire Project) Agency for Cultural Affairs Grant for the Promotion of Arts and Culture (Support Program for Regional Activity Base Formation through Collaboration between Theaters/Music Halls and Artistic Groups) Japan Arts Council, Independent Administrative Institution

Grant Support (August 6 Performance) FY2026 Agency for Cultural Affairs Support Program for Children's Performing Arts Experience at Theaters and Music Halls

◼️ Scheduled Program

・August 6 (Thu)

Opening Gala: Special Guitar Performance 'Flamenco and the Present of Spanish Music' Cañizares × Daisuke Suzuki × Hitoshi Okuyama

Guest Performers: Hiroki Sato (Baile), Takamitsu Ishizuka (Palmas), Shirou Ijyuin (Palmas)

Venue: Small Hall, Chiba Nanso Cultural Center

Time: Doors open 17:30, Performance starts 18:00