From 7 p.m. on Friday, October 24
La Garriga hosts the 1st hurdy-gurdy Festival of Catalonia
From October 24 to 26, La Garriga will become the Catalan capital of thehurdy-gurdy, a fascinating and almost magical instrument with more than a thousand years of history. The festival, organized by the Violes de Roda de Catalunya Association and the Mauri Foundation, was born with the desire to publicize this unique instrument and highlight the rich local heritage.
The link with the town is exceptional: the Mauri Foundation preserves the Gothic ashlars of the Girona Cathedral (14th century), a sculptural ensemble of enormous artistic and architectural value, which has been recently restored. Among its carvings is an angel playing a viola de roda, the oldest representation of the instrument preserved in Catalonia. This medieval treasure is the symbolic heart of the festival and the reason why La Garriga becomes a point of reference for its dissemination.
For three days, music and dissemination will fill emblematic spaces of the town:
Friday 24 (7pm) – Mauri Foundation
Inauguration with historical talk, musical tasting and visit to the Gothic supports.
Saturday 25 (11am–2pm) and Sunday 26 (11am–2pm) – Mauri Foundation
Exhibition of viols de roda a journey from the medieval organistrum to the modern MIDI hurdy-gurdy, with the unique opportunity for the public to try out the instrument.
Saturday 25 (12pm–2pm) – Squares and streets of the center
Viellaires al carre: several musicians will play the instrument in the public space.
Saturday 25 (6pm) – Església de la Doma
Partridge Feather Concert with Marc Egea and Quirze Egea (voice, viola de roda and tenora). A dialogue between tradition and innovation in a unique Romanesque setting. Marc Egea is one of the great references of the viola de roda in Catalonia, with a career that combines traditional music, contemporary creation and research. His son Quirze brings the new generation to the project, uniting the tenora with his father's voice and instrument. Together they revisit traditional Catalan songs and add their own compositions, creating a special and exciting live performance.
Sunday 26 (11am–2pm) – Fundació Mauri
Exhibition of violas de roda and “Toca la viola” the opportunity for the public to try out the instrument.
Sunday 26 (6pm) – Teatre de la Garriga, El Patronat
Mármara Concert with Saüc Ensemble, which fuses Renaissance music and Mediterranean rhythms. The group, formed by Sergio González (viola de roda) and Daïna Mateu (historical flute), has performed with great international success in the United States, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Saüc transports the audience to the era of Leonardo da Vinci or Copernicus, performing Renaissance music with a fresh look and open to new sounds.
Tickets HERE
This1st hurdy-gurdy Festival of Catalonia wants to recover the historical and sound memory of a captivating instrument, bringing it closer to
everyone and reinforcing the role of La Garriga as a cultural reference in the country.
More information and contact:
festivalvioladeroda@gmail.com
Instagram @violaderodacat
