Armenia, Bulgaria, Ivory Coast, Greece, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and Ronda participate in the XXXI edition of the festival, which kicks off this Wednesday with the official reception at the Town Hall's Plenary Hall.
The Town Hall's Plenary Hall in Ingenio hosted this Wednesday the official reception for the seven delegations participating in the XXXI edition of the International Folklore Festival Villa de Ingenio ‘Solidarity Showcase of the Peoples’. The event, organised by the Cultural Association of Choirs and Dances of Ingenio, brings together representatives from Armenia, Bulgaria, Ivory Coast, Greece, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and the Choirs and Dances group from Ronda (Málaga).
The mayor of Ingenio, Vanesa Martín, welcomed the members of the various cultural embassies and highlighted that the municipality proudly lives its traditions while also aiming to open up to the world. “Today we warmly welcome people who have travelled thousands of kilometres to share their music, dance, and culture with us. We want them to feel that Ingenio is also their home during these days,” she stated.
Martín reminded everyone that the International Folklore Festival transcends the stage to become a true space for coexistence where “culture breaks down barriers and shows that music and dance speak a universal language capable of uniting peoples”.
The president of the Choirs and Dances of Ingenio and director of the festival, David Castellano, emphasised that the participating groups represent much more than an artistic show. “They are not just music and dance groups; they are bearers of a legacy passed down from generation to generation. Folklore does not belong to the past; it is a living heritage that continues to evolve and an extraordinary tool to promote tolerance, respect, and understanding among peoples,” he pointed out.
The councillor for Cultural Heritage and Ethnographic Development, Catalina Sánchez, thanked the commitment of the hundred volunteers who make each edition of the festival possible. She explained that the Town Hall wanted the delegations to take home a memory deeply linked to the identity of the municipality: “Every detail of this reception is meant to be a small hug to those who visit us. That is why we wanted to gift them a piece of craftsmanship, a craft that is part of the history and soul of Ingenio.”
The various cultural embassies expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome received in the Villa de Ingenio and the opportunity to participate in a festival they consider a true meeting point between peoples. From Taiwan, after more than twenty hours of travel, they highlighted that music and dance constitute a universal language capable of overcoming any barrier. Puerto Rico stated it felt “at home” due to the deep historical and human ties that connect both territories, while Bulgaria, Greece, Armenia, Ivory Coast, and Ronda expressed their excitement to share with the Canary Islands audience a part of the history, traditions, and cultural heritage of their respective countries.
After the institutional act, the delegations took a tour of the historic centre of the municipality, where they began to discover the heritage and history of the Villa before sharing the stage over the coming days. The festival, which this year reaches its thirty-first edition, consolidates itself as a key event for cultural exchange in the Canary Islands, attracting groups from all five continents.
The central events of the ‘Solidarity Showcase of the Peoples’ will kick off in the coming days with performances and activities aimed at bringing the folklore of the participating countries closer to the residents and visitors of Ingenio. The festival not only offers shows but also promotes coexistence and mutual understanding among cultures, a goal that, according to the organisers, is more necessary than ever in the current context.
For attendees, the opportunity to see dances and listen to music from such diverse places as Armenia, Ivory Coast, or Taiwan represents a unique experience that strengthens the bonds between peoples. The festival has the support of the Town Hall of Ingenio and the collaboration of numerous volunteers, whose work is essential for the development of the event.
Performances will take place in different venues throughout the municipality, and a high participation from the local public is expected, which supports this initiative massively every year. The complete programme can be consulted on the official channels of the Town Hall and the organising association.
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