Flamencos en route

In the interactive videobook Flamencos en route – a solitary dance movement, the dance company 'Flamencos en route' traces its artistic development while also shedding light on the history of flamenco in Switzerland.

In 1984, Swiss dancer and choreographer Brigitta Luisa Merki founded the international dance company 'Flamencos en route'. The founding ensemble, comprising five dancers from various countries, was a novelty in the flamenco scene. With its innovative productions, the company significantly shaped contemporary flamenco and became one of Switzerland's most successful independent dance companies.

The videobook explores the origins and specific development of flamenco in Switzerland, starting with the dancer and educator Susana (1916–2010) from Bern. It also documents the stage productions of «Flamencos en route» between 1984 and 2020, as well as the artistic exchange between Spain and Switzerland. It is primarily based on unpublished documents, including personal papers, sketches, scripts, and historical and new film and photographic material. The videobook can be explored both linearly and thematically, offering various approaches to the artistic development processes and the history of the company.

The video book includes, among other things, an interview with dance scholar Julia Wehren (Specialist for Performing Arts at the SAPA Foundation), as well as excerpts from the oral history interview with Brigitta Luisa Merki, which the SAPA Foundation conducted in 2024. While Julia Wehren contextualizes the artistic work of «Flamencos en route» from a dance studies perspective, excerpts from the oral history interview convey direct recollections of the company's founding and the emergence of an independent dance movement. 

The video book is available to the public free of charge.