Monumento a Mario Maya (Bailaor y Coreógrafo) - Granada

The statue was unveiled on June 26, 2014. It is the work of renowned Granada artist Miguel Moreno Romera and is made with a technique that combines forged and welded sheet metal with a cast head and hands. It measures just over two meters and reflects him with a very expressive, light and moving face.

He started his career dancing for tourists in the caves of Sacromonte , where he spent his childhood. He continued his education in Madrid and made his debut at the age of 13 as the accompanist of Manolo Caracol. He was also part of Pilar López's Spanish ballet and was the artistic partner of La Chunga.

Mario Maya was the author of fifteen works, including: " Ceremonial" (1974), "Camelamos naquerar" (1976), "Áy! jondo" (1977) and "Amargo" (1986). With them he made numerous national and international tours.

In 1983 he founded the Centro de Actividades Mario Maya in Seville, where he taught flamenco, classical dance and jazz. He also contributed to two short films , a film and recordings.

He was a person who devoted himself to his art and his people, to whom nothing was given as a gift, and who triumphed through perseverance, hard work and sacrifice. The city council of Granada plans to convert the Casa de las Chirimías into the seat of the Mario Maya Foundation.

Mario Maya was awarded the Silver Medal of Andalusia in 1986 and the National Dance Prize in 1992.

The statue of Mario Maya is a tribute from the city of Granada to a great and unrepeatable artist.

Willem Vandenameele