Flamenco is the most popular and the best loved of all ethnic musics of the world. It was born in Andalusia - the southern region of Spain where through the ages many cultures of different nations have blended. Andalusia was a land of Phoenicians and Carthaginians, it was Greek colony and part of the Roman Empire. It was the home of Gothic Christians, Arabian Moors, Sephardic Jews and Indian Gypsies. Each civilisation had its own culture, music and instruments. After many years, at the begining of XIX century the mysterious and very expressive music was born. Today we know it as flamenco.

"Viva Flamenco!" - a leading flamenco group in Poland formed in 1992 performs this original music. The type of music that they perform is a combination of traditional and contemporary flamenco, inspired by Indian and Arabian culture and jazz. Its colourful and exotic character is enhanced by its instruments: Spanish, Arabian and Indian. repertoire of almost two hours is made up of some 30 pieces from the most renowned flamenco guitarists (Paco de Lucia, Gerardo Núnez, Vicente Amigo, Manolo Sanlucar, Moraito, Paco Pena, and others), traditional pieces, and their own creations, varied in mood and rhythm. Viva Flamenco guarantees a brilliant performance: masters of the guitar, expressive dance and original dress which combined with interesting and powerful music creates a great show.

"VIVA FLAMENCO!" are:

Miguel CZACHOWSKI - flamenco guitar, sitar, cajón
Anna REDLIN - flamenco dance, belly dance
Justyna JAREK - flamenco dance, palmas
Leszek WIŚNIOWSKI - flutes, saxophone, bansuri
Grzegorz SKIBA - giutar, cajón, palmas
Jan KUBEK - cajón, tabla, darbuka, daf, caxixi, palmas
Adam GŁOŚNICKI - bass guitar, tanpura

Leader and founder of the group Miguel Czachowski a flamenco guitarist, composer, journalist and architect was born into a family of flamenco lovers, which inspired him to play the guitar at very young age. During his annual trips to Spain he has developed his instrumental skills under the guidance of such renowned flamenco guitarists as Rafael Cortés, Salva del Real and Gerardo Nunez. His international collaboration led him to work with artists such as Eduardo el Clavijo, Maite Saez, Ricardo Espinosa, Teo Barea Munoz, Pierluca Pineroli, Rafael Cuen Garibi, Pratap Pawar, Prasad Khaparde among others. For the last 6 years he has been a staff writer in the international musical magazines such as "Flamenco International Magazine", "Jazz Forum" and "Swiat Gitary".

Justyna Jarek is a professional dancer and flamenco dance teacher in Wroclaw. She dances in the style which seemlessly blends traditional flamenco with its modern branches. She learned from such artists as Maria Serrano, Carmen de Torres, Estefania Suissa and Antonio Castro. Leszek Wiśniowski graduated from the Jazz Faculty at the Musical Academy of Katowice. He is a renowned Polish flute player, as well as winner of the most prestigious international jazz music festivals. Jan Kubek is a percussion multiinstrumentalist who plays on almost every ethnic instrument and is a top percussion maker. His principal instrument is Indian tabla on which he can accompany not only to classical Indian music, but many musical styles. He is gifted improviser and has explored many different musical languages which are reflected in his style. Adam Glosnicki works with jazz groups.

"VIVA FLAMENCO!" has recorded many programmes for television and radio and has toured extensively in such european countries as Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Holland, Belgium, England, Belarus and India. The group was a prizewinner in a several prestigious international ethnic music festivals, including:

2002 - III prize - "Ethnosfera" in Skierniewice
1998 - I prize - "Folkowa Majówka" in Radom
1998 - Prize of the Minister of Culture and Art
1997 - II prize - "Folkowa Majówka" in Radom
1996 - Prize of Rector of University Maria Curie - Skłodowska in Lublin
1996 - II prize - "Mikołajki Folkowe" in Lublin
1996 - II prize - "Folkowa Majówka" in Radom
1995 - III prize - "Festiwal Muzyki Prawdziwej" in Tarnowskie Góry

Viva Flamenco's stage line-up extends from solo performances to a septet, where dance dominates. Its repertoire varies from instrumental chamber music, to big shows more suited to concert halls.