Hoy por Hoy – Miss Experiencia: Cristina Heeren, la mujer que hizo del flamenco su destino

SER Podcast | November 25, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló
Guest: Cristina Heeren
Contributor: Chema Rodríguez

Overview

This episode of "Hoy por Hoy," hosted by Àngels Barceló and featuring contributor Chema Rodríguez, welcomes Cristina Heeren—founder of the Fundación Cristina Heeren and a transformative figure in the world of flamenco. The conversation journeys through Heeren’s international roots, the family legacy that drew her to Spain, her life-long dedication to flamenco, and the diverse impact of her foundation over nearly 30 years. The tone is conversational, warm, and often interspersed with anecdotes reflecting both familiarity and admiration.

Cristina Heeren: A Life Destined for Flamenco

Background and Early Influences

• Cristina Heeren was born in New York into a remarkable family. Her great-great-grandfather invented the concept of the department store; her father, half-Spanish and passionate about guitar and flamenco, fought in both the Spanish Civil War and WWII ([00:54]–[01:57]).
  • Quote: “Mi padre era un hombre súper discreto, pero con mucha afición al flamenco sobre todo, y él me introdujo a este mundo.” — Cristina Heeren ([01:57])
  • Her mother, described as expressive and ambitious, came from a small Brazilian town and was the subject of a recent biography ([02:29]–[03:08]).
  • The host explores if Heeren inherited the discretion of her father or the personality of her mother:
    Quote: “Pues más bien la discreción del padre, porque la otra parte... la padecí.” ([02:55])

Connection With Spain & Flamenco

• Heeren’s fascination with Spain began in the 1950s during a family trip, driving her returning to study there in the 1960s ([03:32]–[03:42]).
  • She recalls being inspired by Spanish university life, having José María Pemán and Carlos Busoño as professors, while also being drawn into Madrid’s flamenco scene at El Duende ([03:42]–[04:42]).
    • Chema teases: “Tú me has contado a mí que pasaba más tiempo en el tablado del Duende que en la facultad.” ([04:37])
    • Quote: “Yo iba directamente desde el Duende realmente a la facultad vestida como se vestía en aquella época, con un trajecito de lamé, de brillo. Entonces destacaba un poquito en la clase.” — Cristina Heeren ([04:42])
• Discovers Granada but ultimately moves to Seville, recognizing it as the true "capital" of flamenco ([05:13]–[06:06]).

From Householder to Flamenco Promoter

• Initially focused on domestic life and raising her daughter, Heeren’s professional link with flamenco begins after her daughter grows up ([06:06]–[06:26]).
• A chance meeting with singer Calixto Sánchez inspires her to export flamenco to the US and later produce records ([06:26]–[07:14]).
  • Quote: “Produje un disco con él.” ([07:14])
• Collaborating with guitarrist José Luis Postigo leads to the concept of a flamenco school with established artists as teachers ([07:18]–[07:46]).

The Fundación Cristina Heeren

• Began with just seven students; now, almost 30 years on, it enjoys international renown ([07:46]–[08:07]).
  • 40% of students are foreigners, with alumni performing worldwide ([08:11]–[09:16]).
  • Quote: “Los alumnos que salen de ahí tienen una formación muy completa que no podrían beber en otras escuelas, porque se aprende mucha teoría también, mucha historia del flamenco. Conocen su contexto cultural...” — Cristina Heeren ([08:30])
• Notable observation: Japanese and other foreign students are drawn to flamenco for its emotional freedom, a counterpoint to more rigid cultures ([09:33]–[09:59]).
  • Quote: “Lo entiendo en el caso de los japoneses, porque tienen una estructura social muy rígida y claro, el flamenco representa todo lo contrario para ellos.” — Cristina Heeren ([09:33])

On Artistry and the “Duende”

What Makes a True Flamenco Artist?

• Discussion on whether anyone, especially foreigners, can possess the elusive "duende" (flamenco spirit) ([10:20]–[11:12]).
  • Heeren acknowledges that while technique is teachable, artistry is innate:
    • Quote: “La técnica se aprende... pero claro, no todo el mundo ha nacido artista.” ([10:57])
    • “Lo ideal es una mezcla de técnica con inspiración.” ([11:12])
  • Chema asserts: “el duende es transnacional” ([10:54]), which Cristina affirms in practice.

Recognition and Legacy

Celebration of Flamenco as Intangible Cultural Heritage

• The foundation recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of flamenco’s designation as UNESCO Intangible Heritage, staging the acclaimed “Cristina Heeren para Sevilla” show—despite bad weather, attendance was strong ([11:20]–[12:05]).
  • Quote: “Hizo un tiempo terrible y la gente estaba haciendo cola con los paraguas... pero se llenó el teatro.” ([11:46])

Nobility and Social Blending

• Heeren inherited a noble title, the result of her ancestor's loyalty to the Spanish crown in Peru. While she moves among aristocrats, her passion for flamenco connects her with people across all social classes ([12:14]–[13:13]).
  • Quote: “Por mi trabajo tengo amigos de todos los niveles y además lo disfruto mucho. Me gusta esta mezcla de todos los niveles.” ([12:47])
  • On flamenco affinity: “Pero con los flamencos un poquito mejor.” ([13:13])

Reflections on Bullfighting and Friendship with Antonio Ordóñez

• Lifetime friendship with Ordóñez, the famed bullfighter ([13:18]–[13:26]).
• These days, she attends bullfights infrequently, reflecting on the ethical tension between art and cruelty—she's only happy if “art wins” over the suffering of the animals ([13:35]–[13:59]).
  • Quote: “Siempre ha sido un equilibrio muy, muy especial entre el arte y la crueldad. Y si gana el arte, entonces ahí estoy contenta, pero si no, lo sufro muchísimo.” ([13:43])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On nurturing talent:
  “Los alumnos que salen de ahí tienen una formación muy completa... están en todos los escenarios del mundo ahora.” ([08:30])
• On what makes a great flamenco artist:
  “Lo ideal es una mezcla de técnica con inspiración.” ([11:12])
• On the persistence of passion:
  “Hizo un tiempo terrible y la gente estaba haciendo cola con los paraguas... pero se llenó el teatro.” ([11:46])

Important Timestamps

• 00:54 – Family background, meeting Hemingway, Orson Welles, Ava Gardner
• 03:42 – Arrival in Spain, university impressions, first steps into flamenco
• 05:28 – Discovering Andalusia and Granada, settling in Seville
• 07:46 – Founding the flamenco school, the evolution into a foundation
• 08:30 – The foundation’s impact, training, and alumni success
• 09:33 – The draw of flamenco for foreigners, especially Japanese students
• 10:57 – Duende: can it be taught? The blend of artistry and technique
• 11:46 – Recent major foundation event despite bad weather
• 12:14 – Nobility and social circles: mixing aristocracy and flamenco
• 13:43 – Bullfighting: the conflict between art and cruelty

Conclusion

Through playful banter and thoughtful storytelling, Cristina Heeren emerges as both a guardian of Spanish cultural heritage and a bridge between worlds. Her foundation, passion for flamenco, and life journey underscore the transformative power of art across boundaries—national, social, and even those of personal destiny.