ALBUQUERQUE, the United States, Aug. 25 -- Flamenco, the traditional folk music in southern Spain, enjoys exceptionally wide popularity in the Southwest of the United States. There are, in fact, more opportunities to experience live flamenco in the U.S. state of New Mexico than one might find in Madrid.

Joaquin Encinias, the artistic director and founder of Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, attributes it to both early settlement of European Spaniards in New Mexico, as well as the state's long history of supporting a diverse array of innovative artistic endeavors through patronage and large enthusiastic audiences.

"New Mexico in general, is a hot bed for flamenco and I think there's an affinity here for the Spanish culture based on our roots, but I also think it goes beyond that as well," Encinias explained to Xinhua. "I think it has to do a little bit with our demographic and our socio-economic stature here in New Mexico that allows an art form, a little more niche art form, to cultivate and grow quite vigorously here."

He is the third generation of flamenco artists who helped establish the genre in New Mexico, and attributes some of the current popularity to his family's efforts. "I would like to think it's because of the work of my grandmother and mother, as well as my aunts and uncles who did a lot to establish a flamenco community here in Albuquerque (New Mexico)."

For anyone attending a flamenco performance for the first time, it is a compelling and dramatic experience. Colorful costumes, stirring guitars, and melodramatic singing create a thrilling concert.

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