In 2020 Catalonia faced a harsh outbreak, and the edition that followed expanded its reach to the Valencian Community. The Iberian press group INFORMACION launched a festival with the aim of bringing music to towns with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants, promoting culture in small municipalities, and fighting depopulation. The organizers spoke about equal opportunities in culture and music, ensuring that residents in smaller towns could listen to the same music and enjoy the same cultural experiences as those in larger cities. During the second edition, the event opened at the Óscar Esplá Music Conservatory in Alicante, with the participation of the central director, the festival director, and notable figures from Valencia’s cultural scene, including the general manager of the Valencia Anti-Population Agenda and leaders from Casa Mediterráneo and other cultural organizations.
Marata described the festival as highly democratic and distinctive, linking the ensembles with three major music conservatories and encouraging students and groups aiming to advance. The edition planned professional performances and was scheduled to run through October. He noted that the European Union’s recommendations encouraged exchanges, allowing showcases here to reflect initiatives in Catalonia and Sardinia. A gospel concert had already traveled by boat from Catalonia to Ibiza, with another voyage planned from Ibiza toward Valencia. The meeting’s director called the festival a traveling celebration and a source of happiness for everyone who attends.
land of musicians
José Vicente Asensi views a public service mindset as part of the region’s DNA, aiming to give back to society. Born in the small town of Sella, he admitted early on that his reach to neighbors was modest, and music often felt more present in big cities. That awareness underscored the importance of this initiative for smaller towns and their cultural life.
The program also featured extracurricular practices by students, with the festival’s philosophy aligning with the Itinera movement’s core values.
Tony Cabot, representing the Balearic cultural community, emphasized that the region is a land of musicians, committed to taking this voice to every corner. He asked how one could not support such a project, highlighting the belief that culture can unify and empower even remote areas.
Andres Perello emphasized that Casa Mediterráneo works within this environment, joining efforts with other nations to counter depopulation.
He also highlighted the festival’s democratic character, noting that participants include musicians and professionals from diverse fields, such as dentistry and engineering. The goal is to foster a shared motivation in small towns, where culture can seed new initiatives and bring broader visibility.
against population decline
Itinera’s reach extended to the Balearic Islands and Castilla-La Mancha, with plans for next year to include Sardinia. The festival remains a celebration of music, while also acting as a platform to combat the abandonment of small municipalities. The Valencia Anti-population Agenda kept a close eye on communities at risk, ensuring the project remained relevant to local needs.
Collaborations with the Band Federation demonstrated that music originated in conservatories could travel far beyond traditional venues, bringing students to closer contact with small towns that are true cultural jewels. Segarra stressed that culture offers visibility and connects people across regions, reinforcing the idea that the arts belong everywhere, not just in major urban centers.
The event concluded with a concert by the Oscar Esplá Conservatory Saxophone Six, performing selections by Yoshimatsu, Albéniz, Granados, and Stravinsky.