Centro de Interpretación de la Mujer en el Flamenco

Centre in the Casa del Aire in Arahal that explores the role of women in flamenco singing, dance and playing, and pays tribute to Pastora Pavón.

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About the museum

The centre is housed in the Casa del Aire, an 18th-century building that belonged to the Benjumea-Troya family and was donated to the municipality of Arahal. It opened in 2010 as the Museo de la Mujer en el Flamenco, marking the 120th anniversary of the birth of Pastora Pavón, “La Niña de los Peines”, a singer linked to Arahal through her maternal family. With the support of the Diputación de Sevilla, it then became a space devoted to the women of flamenco.

After a refurbishment it reopened on 23 June 2022 under its current name, Centro de Interpretación de la Mujer en el Flamenco (CIMFLA). The centre conceives the site as an interpretation, documentation and research centre, a flamenco art school and a cultural space.

The route is spread over four rooms with audiovisuals and interactive displays. The first deals with the origins and evolution of flamenco from the perspective of women singers (cantaoras), with the cafés cantantes, theatre and flamenco opera. The second shows the evolution of women's dress, with peinas (combs), Manila shawls and fans, and the biographies of great women dancers. The third, educational and interactive, presents the instruments of flamenco and the women instrumentalists (tocaoras). The fourth is dedicated to Pastora Pavón and allows visitors to listen to part of her recordings.

Highlights

Four rooms with audiovisuals and interactive displays
Room dedicated to Pastora Pavón, “La Niña de los Peines”
Evolution of flamenco dress: peinas, Manila shawls and fans
Women singers (cantaoras), dancers (bailaoras) and instrumentalists (tocaoras)
Based in the Casa del Aire, an 18th-century building