The Cervantino International Festival is back in person — and celebrating 50 years. 'It's a festival where people can come to enjoy theater, dance, music, films, literature, gastronomy, street theater, circus, and so on,' says the festival director.
A scene from"Entremeses Cervantinos," three one-act plays written by Miguel de Cervantes, at Plaza San Roque, Guanajuato, Mexico.Germán Romero, courtesy of Cervantino International Festival
A scene from"Entremeses Cervantinos," three one-act plays written by Miguel de Cervantes, at Plaza San Roque, Guanajuato, Mexico.On a recent Saturday night at the Teatro Juarez in Guanajuato, Portuguese singer. She's accompanied by a quartet of bass, electric and acoustic guitars and the emblematic instrument of fado, the 12-steel string Portuguese guitar. Fado songs are deeply melancholic, the lyrics are filled with 'saudade,' a feeling of nostalgia and longing.
This year is special. After a virtual edition in 2020, and a hybrid version last year - the festival is back in person and celebrating 50 years."It's a festival where people can come to enjoy theater, dance, music, films, literature, gastronomy, street theater, circus, and so on," says festival director."They can come with the whole family, to enjoy 19 days to feel, to dance, and to reflect with all the artists that are here with us.
There are 25 venues spread across the city of Guanajuato, most of them located within the historic center. The indoor venues include theaters, baroque churches, a mine and a club in the catacombs, underneath the city. Half of the events are free. But one of the best components of the festival is the outdoor venues: five city squares, a former train station, and a supermarket all make the city come alive every day.
At the festival's biggest outdoor venue, Coreyah, a psychedelic Korean folk band is performing in front of more than 4,000 people. The band is a blend of traditional Korean music, American rock and world rhythms.Every year, festival organizers invite a country and a state of Mexico. Korea is the invited country this year.