For the 35th consecutive year Cordoba has turned into the heart of the guitar world during two intense weeks which conclude this coming Sunday, July 12th.
A festival that floods the streets, plazas and emblematic sites of Cordoba (Gran Teatro de Córdoba, la Plaza de Toros, Teatro de la Axerquía, and Teatro Góngora) with a great variety of activities in which the “Spanish stringed king” converts itself into a common denominator of spectacles, concerts, audiovisual projections, exhibits, courses and conferences.
In continuity with the quality of the past editions of this festival, Cordobans, as well as the many visitors from all corners of the world, bore witness to the art emanating from the many concerts and spectacles by great musicians and masters of different musical styles and genres. We enjoyed the stringed dialogues between Pepe Habichuela and Jorge Prado, Rubén Olmo and Pedro Sierra, Miguel A. Cortés and José María Gallardo, Chano Dominguez and Niño Josele, José A Rodriguez and Chicuelo, Santiago Lara and Alfredo Lagos. We felt the good vibes of jazz, blues and rock from Corazones Estrangulados + Hijos del Hambre +, Marc Ribot, Frank Gambele, the legendary Bob Dylan, Bill Frisel and Sting + Raimundo Amador. The classical music was covered by Pablo Villegas and the Cordova Orchestra, Manuel Barrueco, David Russell, and Poland Dyens.
Beyond the traditional categories, we enjoyed the musical dialogue between Hesham Essam´s oud and Ali Khattaab´s guitar in an unforgettable setting at the second headquarters of the Arabic House situated in Casa Mudéjar. On the 11th of July we will be equally delighted by Manuel Serrat´s presentation of his Antología Desordenada.
Not to be forgotten is the other great side of this festival, the Educational Program, which, as in the past editions, offered dance, classical and flamenco guitar classes. This year, the novelty was the flamenco percussion instruction lead by the composer Agustín Diassera. The students who attended the program had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from the already mentioned Pablo Villegas and the Cordova Orchestra, Manuel Barrueco, David Russell and Roland in the classical guitar area. In the flamenco realm, classes were given by the great Manolo Sanlúcar, Jose Antonio Rodriguez, Josemi Carmona, and Pepe Habichuela. Finally the flamenco dance classes were coordinated by Javier Latorre, Inmaculada Aguilar and Rubén Olmo.
Of course, homage to Paco de Lucía couldn’t be left out. The EFE news agency prepared a fantastic photographic exhibition under the name Paco de Lucía. Eterno in the form of 30 captures installed along the Gran Capitan Boulevard until July 17th.
More information: guitarracordoba.org