Rojales will host the opening stage of the 61st edition of the International Festival of the Cante de las Minas, marking the start of a tour that combines singing, dance, and guitar in a flamenco showcase. The event kicks off this Saturday at 7:30 pm at the Capitol Municipal Theater, and will inaugurate a year-long series of performances across multiple cities, including Alicante, Dénia, and Torrevieja.
Now in its third year, Rojales has earned a place in flamenco history as a setting for these rigorous artistic tests. The town has deep roots tied to La Unión and the mining era, and its historical growth during the mining crisis shaped the local landscape, from the discovery of fossil dunes to the construction of unique residential caves. Last year, the municipality created the Esteban Bernal Velasco Award to honor significant contributions to the dissemination of flamenco within the community.
Rojales will also see the presence of the festival’s director, Juan Carlos Lopez, who leads the Cante de las Minas Foundation and will participate in the testing phase.
Poster explaining the tests.
Following the Rojales stop, the festival will continue its journey to Valladolid, Sagunto, Albacete, Madrid, Torrevieja, Dénia, Alicante, Álora, Viator, Lorca, Yecla, Andorra de Teruel, Ponferrada, Alicante again, and the Extremadura region. The semi-finalists, scheduled for August 3 to 5, will contend for the top honors on August 6, including the Lamp Minera trophy for singing, the Bordón Minero trophy for instrumental performance, the Desplante trophy for male and female dance, and the Filón trophy for flamenco guitar players.
The selection process has traditionally involved both critics and the public, who consider the festival a cornerstone of flamenco culture with a storied history. The prestige associated with the Cante de las Minas is underscored by the career trajectories of artists who have gained prominence after their victories, such as Miguel Poveda, who rose to international recognition after winning the Mining Lamp in 1993.
Over the years, many renowned performers have appeared in the competition, including Vicente Amigo, Maite Martín, Israel Galván, Pitingo, Luis de Córdoba, Rosario La Tremendita, Javier Latorre, Abdón Alcaraz, Pepe Bao, Carlos Piñana, Rocío Márquez, Juan Habichuela Nieto, David Lagos, Agustín Carbonell, E Albatrodua Guitar, Ricardo Fernández del Moral, Sergio de Lope, among others. The festival’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to showcase a diverse range of flamenco styles and to propel emerging talents onto national and international stages, all while honoring the region’s rich cultural heritage. For enthusiasts, the event remains a pivotal opportunity to witness artistry at its most authentic and to experience flamenco in a setting that has shaped its modern narrative. (cite: International Festival of the Cante de las Minas)