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September 5 to 8 International Folk Music Festival in Lorca
The 33rd edition of Festifolk brings together groups from Kazakhstan, Mexico and Thailand in Lorca
For the 33rd year the annual Festival Internacional de Folclore Virgen de las Huertas de Lorca is being held during the festivities of the Feria Chica in early September, this year featuring groups from as far afield as Kazakhstan, Mexico and Thailand in the programme between September 5 and 8.
On this occasion the official welcome for the visiting groups will be held not at the almost completely restored Palacio de Guevara, which it is hoped will soon be reopening to visitors, but at Lorca castle, while the music will not be restricted to concerts but will also be present at the open-air restaurant which accompanies the festival, with all events coordinated by the local Coros y Danzas Virgen de las Huertas group.
The visiting groups are the Naz Dance Theatre from Kasakhstan, the Compañía de Danza Independiente Fusión Folkórica from Mexico and the Tikalang-Kanoknat theatrical arts company from Thailand. The Naz Dance Theatre is known not only in their home country but has travelled extensively, performing at the London Olympic Games in 2012, while the Mexican group has been performing all over the world since 2009. This is their second visit to Lorca.
The Tikalang-Kanoknat, company, meanwhile, performs dances such as the Khon, which has been declared an Item of World Heritage by UNESCO and is over 400 years old.
The program for this year’s festival includes the following:
Tuesday September 5
20.30: Official reception for participating groups at Lorca castle.
Wednesday September 6
10.00: Guided tour of the city of Lorca.
20.30: Procession from Plaza de Calderón along Calle Lope Gisbert, Calle Presbítero Emilio García, Alameda de la Constitución, Puente de la Torta, Alameda Virgen de las Huertas and ending in Plaza Rey Sabio.
22.00: Tribute to all nations taking part.
22.15: Opening performances of the festival in the Plaza del Rey Sabio.
Thursday September 7
21.00: “Baila con Nosotros”, music and dancing in the Alameda Virgen de las Huertas.
Friday September 8
21.30: The final session of the festival in the Plaza del Rey Sabio.
23.30: Closing ceremony in the Plaza del Rey Sabio.
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today.
Address
Calle Lope Gisbert, 12, LorcaTel: 968 441914
Oficina de Turismo de Lorca
The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites, and historic buildings, around which the modern city has built its tourism industry. Among these are Lorca Castle, the Jewish quarter of the castle and synagogue, Plaza de España, Colegiata de San Patricio, Museo de Arqueologico Municipal, Iglesia de San Francisco, Casa Huerto Ruano, Palacio de Guevara, Iglesia de San Mateo, Pósito de los Panaderos, Convento Virgen de las Huertas, Antiguo Convento de la Merced, Iglesia del Carmen and the Teatro Guerra.
Unfortunately Lorca has also been prone to natural disaster, suffering a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as two earthquakes measuring 5.3 and 5.5 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011, claiming 9 lives. Since this earthquake the city has been rebuilding, winning recognition for its Lorca, Open for Restoration initiative, which used the restoration of the city as a tourist attraction whilst it rebuilt its historical buildings, some of which are currently still not open.
The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).
Lorca also has an area of coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only along difficult tracks or by boat!
However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the historic castle.
Opening hours for Lorca tourist office:
Every day of the year apart from 1st and 6th January and 25th December, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30 (except Sunday afternoons).
These opening times are often extended and other information points created during the Semana Santa celebrations.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
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