The 25th edition of ‘Lorca and Granada in the Generalife Gardens’ recorded average occupancy of 92.5% and a total of 28,129 spectators across 19 performances in August, Culture, Historical Heritage and Sport Minister Patricia del Pozo said. The programme, run by the regional Culture, Historical Heritage and Sport Ministry, ended on August 29 with three consecutive sold-out performances of ‘Omega. 30th Anniversary’. Four performances by the Ballet Flamenco of Andalusia also sold out, alongside 12 performances of ‘Gypsy Women Sing and Dance to Lorca’, starring Manuela Carrasco.
Del Pozo said the three productions had been well received and reflected continued interest in poet Federico García Lorca. She said the attendance figures established the programme as one of Andalusia’s main summer cultural events, and described its long history as an asset for Granada’s bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2031. She added that the 2026 edition continued the regional government’s public-private collaboration model, which she said was intended to support the programme’s growth and reach and respond to the needs of the professional flamenco sector.
Most audience members came from Granada and its metropolitan area, as well as other Andalusian provinces, including Málaga, Jaén, Almería, Seville and Córdoba. ‘Omega. 30th Anniversary’ attracted a larger share of spectators from elsewhere in Spain and from abroad. More than 30 journalists were accredited to cover performances and conduct interviews and report on the productions.
The programme opened with ‘Gypsy Women Sing and Dance to Lorca’, directed by Ángel Rojas. Led by dancer Manuela Carrasco, the production paid tribute to Lorca’s poetic world through singing, dance and performance. Its artists included Juana Salazar, known as ‘La Tobala’, Zamara Carrasco, Enrique El Extremeño, Pedro Sierra, Pastora Galván, Samuel Cortés, Joselito Carrasco and Coco Reyes, with special appearances by Esperanza Fernández and Aurora Vargas.
From August 19 to 22, the Ballet Flamenco of Andalusia, directed by Patricia Guerrero, presented ‘Blessed Land. Old Land of the Oil Lamp’. The production explored the flamenco known to Lorca, bringing tradition and contemporary forms together through dance, music and staging.
The festival closed on August 27, 28 and 29 with ‘Omega. 30th Anniversary’, a tribute to the work created by Enrique Morente and Lagartija Nick. Starring Kiki Morente, Lagartija Nick and Israel Galván, the production revisited a significant work of contemporary Spanish music and its links to Lorca’s poetry and the work of Leonard Cohen. Verónica Morales directed the staging and Víctor Martínez the music.
The festival began in 2002 to enrich Granada’s summer cultural programme with productions inspired by Lorca and his work. Across its 25 editions, it has presented dance, music, theatre and contemporary performance. Since 2024, it has used a mixed model combining productions backed by cultural institutions with projects promoted by private companies and producers.