The Granada City Council has officially presented the ninth edition of the Granada Guitar Festival, a cycle that takes on a special dimension in 2025 as it is dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Manuel Cano Tamayo, a distinguished Granada native and the first professor of flamenco guitar in history.
During the event, the spokesperson for the municipal government, Jorge Saavedra, emphasized that «this festival is much more than a musical event: it is a declaration of identity and a commitment to culture as a transformative axis. Granada is determined to lead its candidacy for the European Capital of Culture 2031 through music, and this event is one of our flagship projects.»
With more than 30 concerts scheduled from July 14 to August 7, the 9th Guitar Festival will bring together national and international artists in a program that combines classical, flamenco, and baroque guitar, as well as premieres and parallel activities. A total of 11 concerts will be free of charge and will be held not only in the capital, but also in municipalities in the province such as Guadix, Huéneja, and Capileira.
Saavedra also stated that «with initiatives like this, we not only strengthen Granada’s presence in the international guitar circuit, but we also create synergies with other city events such as the Flamenco Biennial, which we will celebrate next September. Granada breathes culture all year round, with a continuous and top-notch offering.»
The official inauguration of the festival will take place on July 14 at the Palace of Carlos V, with the concert titled Two voices and one heart: the Spanish guitar, featuring German guitarist Julia Trintschuck (classical guitar) and Granada native José Fermín Fernández (flamenco guitar). This concert will kick off the Stradivarius Guitar cycle, in which historical guitars from the world’s best luthiers will be used.
One of the most emotional moments of the edition will be the great tribute to Manuel Cano, which will take place at the Isabel la Católica Theater, with the participation of his son José Manuel Cano, Vero «La India,» and Miguel Ángel Cortés, among others. The same theater will pay tribute to another great name in Granada’s flamenco guitar scene, Miguel Ochando, who recently passed away, with a recital featuring artists like Kiki Morente, Eva Esquivel, and Álvaro Martinete.
La Peña La Platería, an emblematic place for flamenco, will host seven concerts featuring names such as Manolo Franco, Daniel Casares, Pedro Sierra, Ricardo Fernández del Moral, El Amir (interpreter on the No Time to Die soundtrack), Segundo Falcón, and the Konvergencie Ensemble quintet.
Among the most anticipated highlights is the world premiere of Devenir, a work conceived by Patricia Guerrero, National Dance Award winner, alongside guitarist Alejandro Hurtado. An event that, according to Ferreira, «emphasizes the connection between innovation and tradition that defines Granada’s culture: respecting our roots, we project towards the future.»
The program also includes an extraordinary symphonic concert to commemorate the centenary of Manuel de Falla’s orchestral version of El amor brujo, featuring cantaora Esperanza Fernández, the Granada City Orchestra, and the participation of María Esther Guzmán, under the direction of Álvaro Albiach.
The chosen venues reinforce the festival’s connection with the city’s heritage: Casa de los Tiros Museum, Archaeological Museum, San Juan de Dios Museum, Corral del Carbón, Jiménez Torrecillas Hall (in the Alcázar del Genil Metro), and the Carlos V Palace itself.
The legendary guitarist Pepe Romero, one of the leading figures in the world of guitar and an honorary resident of Granada, will participate again this year, dedicating his recital to the figure of Ángel Barrios, another great reference in Spanish music.
In addition to the concerts, the festival will host the 8th International Guitar Makers Competition Antonio Marín Montero, Master Class by Pepe Romero, the 2nd Flamenco Week Long Course, as well as guided tours under the theme Granada and the guitar.
Organized by the European Guitar Foundation, chaired by Vicente Coves, the festival is sponsored by the Granada City Council, as well as by the Caja Rural Foundation, the Granada Provincial Council, the Department of Development of the Andalusian Regional Government, Metro Granada, Gegsa, and the Alhambra and Generalife Trust, among other entities.