Folklorico De Mexico Returning to the UK for First Time in 40 Years

As part of the bilateral Year of Mexico in the UK and Year of the UK in Mexico forty dancers and sixteen musicians from the world renowned Ballet Folklórico de México will present a captivating spectacle of live music and dance drawing on Mexico's incredibly rich and varied history as part of the celebrations. They open 42 years to the day since their last London appearance.

Having travelled to more than 60 countries the international cultural sensation has attracted universal praise and now returns to the UK for a limited five performance run at the London Coliseum next July.

Established in 1952 Ballet Folklórico de México founder Amalia Hernández was driven by a passion to tell the story of her native Mexico - from the pre-Colombian civilizations, through the Hispanic influences of the Viceroyal era up to the Revolutionary years of the early 20th century - through the expressive form of folkloric dance. Just like their English equivalent - folk dances - folkloric dances are the 'dances of the people', reflecting the life and spirit of a people through movement and a riot of colourful costume and music.

Throughout her life, Hernández continuously revised and renewed her work, a tradition continued today by her family. The result is a re-creation of Mexican traditions on stage, preserving the diversity and characters found throughout the regions of Mexico in dances such as the Sones de Michoacán (Melodies of Michoacán), Deer Dance and Fandangos. The full programme of works for their London Coliseum engagement will be announced in 2015.

The Ballet Folklórico de México and founder Amalia Hernández have collectively received over 200 awards recognizing their artistic merits, including the Prize of Nations in France, (1960); The Tiffany Award for Lifetime Achievement in New York (1992); and, for Ms. Hernandez, Mexico's highest award, The National Prize of Culture.

Under the current directorship of Hernández's grandson Salvador López López, Amalia's vision, energy and spirit continue to burn brightly. The company enthralls audiences across the globe and maintains a dynamic programme of choreography, whilst additionally performing three times a week at the Palace of Fine Arts - the foremost stage for the arts in Mexico City which has housed the company since 1959.

A promotional video exploring the breadth of the company's work can be seen here: http://tinyurl.com/BFLPROMO

The Ballet Folklórico de México is presented by Como No as part of The Year of Mexico in the UK. The BFM's visit to the UK is supported by the National Council for the Arts and Culture, Mexico.

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