La Chunga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Chunga
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Photo of La Chunga.
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| Born |
Micaela Flores-Amaya
1938 |
| Died | (aged 87) |
| Occupation | flamenco dancer, naive artist |
| Years active | 1944–2025 |
| Spouse(s) | José Luis Gonzalvo |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Carmen Amaya (maternal cousin) |
Micaela Flores Amaya (born in 1938, died in 2025) was a famous Spanish flamenco dancer and painter. Most people knew her by her stage name, La Chunga. She was known for her unique style of dancing and her art.
Contents
Early Life and Discovering Dance
Micaela Flores Amaya was born in Marseille, France, in 1938. Her parents were Romani from Andalusia, Spain. They moved to France during the Spanish Civil War. When she was very young, her family moved to Barcelona, Spain. Her sister, Lorenza Flores Amaya, was also a flamenco dancer known as "La Chunguita". La Chunga was also the cousin of the famous flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya.
La Chunga started dancing when she was just six years old. She performed in a place called "Ca La Rosita," which was a well-known gathering spot for the Romani community in El Poble-Sec. She often danced on the streets without shoes. During one of these street performances, a painter named Francisco "Paco" Rebés discovered her. Rebés became her mentor and godfather.
A Muse for Artists and Writers
La Chunga became an inspiration for many famous people. Writers like Blas de Otero and Rafael Alberti admired her. Painters such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and her godfather Francisco Rebés also found her inspiring. They saw her as a fascinating person and encouraged her to paint.
In 1958, there's a famous photo showing Salvador Dalí inviting La Chunga to create art by dancing on a blank canvas. While she danced, Dalí would paint under her feet. She was famous for her barefoot flamenco dancing, earning her the nickname "The Barefoot Dancer." Picasso called her a "shining naif," meaning he thought her art was wonderfully simple and natural. La Chunga also showed her paintings in art galleries in Paris and Madrid. Later, she went on many tours and appeared in several movies.
Family and Later Years
La Chunga married a director named José Luis Gonzalvo. They had one daughter, Pilar. La Chunga passed away on January 3, 2025, when she was 87 years old.
Film Appearances
La Chunga appeared in several films throughout her career:
- Tip on a Dead Jockey (1957)
- Back to the Door (1959)
- El último verano (1961)
- Juan Pedro the Scyther (1969)
- "Cierto reflejos: La Chunga" (1978)
- Vampire in Venice (1988)
- Papa Piquillo (1998)
Awards and Honors
La Chunga received many awards for her talent and contributions:
- Medalla de Oro del Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid (Gold Medal from the Circle of Fine Arts in Madrid)
- Medalla Oro de la Asociación de la Prensa de Sevilla (Gold Medal from the Press Association of Seville)
- Trofeo Delfín de Alicante (Dolphin Trophy of Alicante)
- Premio del Ayuntamiento de Alicante (Award from the City Council of Alicante)
- Premio Cidale de los Almendros (Cidale de los Almendros Award)
Images for kids
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Photo of La Chunga.
See also
In Spanish: La Chunga para niños
