Murcia hosts Spain’s historic folklore festival featuring three continents’ cultures. Photo Credit: Region of Murcia Tourism
Murcia is preparing to host one of the oldest festivals in Spain in July, the International Folklore Festival, which will see groups from three continents come together to celebrate music, culture, and tradition.
A gathering of global traditions
The event, to be held from July 14 to July 17, will host performances by groups from South Korea, Greece, and Argentina, as well as places in Spain including the Canary Islands, Andalusia, and the Region of Murcia. This edition of the International Folklore Festival will consolidate the event as the longest-running festival of its kind, not just in the Region of Murcia, but in the whole of Spain.
Parades, exhibitions, and friendship torches
This festival, which is now in its 58th edition, includes exhibitions, showcases, and performances revolving around folk traditions of these different countries. It is scheduled to be held in Plaza Beluga and surrounding areas in Murcia City. The event acts as a “unifying element,” according to official sources for the event, across varying expressions of folklore.
The event will officially kick off Tuesday, July 14, with the opening parade, the raising of the flag, and the lighting of the Torch of Friendship, as well as a performance by Malvariche. Tuesday will also see the inauguration of an exhibition, “Costumbrismo and Folklore in Municipal Collections,” which will remain open until July 31.
The next day, on Wednesday, there will be a guided tour departing from Plaza Beluga at 11:00am for participating groups. Additionally, there will be a seminar on folklore and ethnography, including talks about the guitarra mayor instrument and the history of Murcia’s folklore and musical culture.
The seminars and talks will continue on Thursday, July 16, with more presentations on heritage, folklore, and ethnography. Finally, the event will conclude on Friday, July 17, with the closing ceremony and a fireworks display.
Exploring regional musical history and heritage with a new edition
One of the oldest and most prestigious cultural events in the country, the International Folklore Festival is expected to be a resounding success this year, and consolidate the Region of Murcia as a hotspot for culture, gastronomy, music, and entertainment in Spain.
