August 3, 2015
On Sunday the Folk Dancers attended church meetings with the local branch in Badajoz, Spain, where the branch president asked them to give talks and sing several songs during sacrament meeting. Afterward, the group was able to travel to Lisbon, Portugal to see the Jeronimos Monastery and nearby Belem Tower - two UNESCO world heritage sites. Returning to Spain later that day, it was announced at the closing of the Badajoz Folk Festival that BYU dancer Kylie Falke was voted by all performers most friendly female performer at the festival. This was a welcomed honor to the BYU group.Monday the group explored the city of Seville, Spain, where they were fortunate to have Lorum Stratton, an LDS member in charge of the Texas Tech Study Abroad program, give them a personalized tour of the Seville Cathedral, Giralda Tower, and Real Alcazar of Seville. After a day of exploring, the group attended a professional flamenco concert that amazed the group with the talent demonstrated. The next day the group worked to improve their flamenco skills in a workshop that became a highlight for the entire group. The professional flamenco teacher and staff were very impressed by the skills of the folk dancers and were amazed the BYU students could keep up with the difficult combination of moves taught. Later the group went to the Cathedral of Cordoba, a former mosque that was transformed into a beautiful cathedral, with many of the original mosque elements still prevalent. <h6>At the end of a marvelous tour in Europe, the students reminisced about the kind people and friends they met along the way that enriched their lives and inspired them to be better.</h6> The Folk Dance Ensemble's last full day of tour was in Madrid, where they enjoyed the Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Plaza of Spain, and some also visited the Madrid LDS Temple.At the end of a marvelous tour in Europe, the students reminisced about the kind people and friends they met along the way that enriched their lives and inspired them to be better.
READ MOREFolk Dance Ensemble poses in front of Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, Portugal.
Folk Dance members enjoy walking through the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, Portugal.
Lorum Stratton, LDS member from Texas Tech University, gave the BYU Folk Dancers an intriguing tour of the Seville Cathedral, Giralda Tower and Real Alcazar in Seville, Spain.
Members of the Folk Dance Ensemble focus during the flamenco workshop held for them in Seville, Spain.