The link between the Generalitat and the Government lasted only a few hours. Spain International Song Festival, a musical event promoted by a Madrid promoter and backed by the Valencian government along with SGAE, appears that way on the event’s official site and was confirmed by regional government sources yesterday afternoon. They defended their support as part of a “cultural initiative” they found interesting, even as later remarks questioned the decision.
But around 8 p.m., the Generalitat released a statement saying it would not back the competition, arguing that another festival with similar features could be copied in the Valencian Community. The visuals used during the promotion were noted as a point of consideration. The project, titled Benidorm Festival, was planned to be held in Valencia next June and had been celebrated in 2022.
Neither institutional nor financial support
The Generalitat stated in its note that among many offers received, one festival was the Spanish International Song Festival requesting cooperation in Valencia for its celebration in the city. Cited: Gobierno Valenciano.
It added that the decision was to not back this festival either institutionally nor financially, while suggesting a degree of hypocrisy from those promoting it, noting it aligns with another event already established in the Valencian Community. Cited: Gobierno Valenciano.
The note continued: the region already supports various established proposals and works with music festival associations to promote projects within its tourism commitments to music. Cited: Gobierno Valenciano.
Additionally, a recent report emphasized that the Generalitat fully backs Benidorm Fest, a major talent project in the area that contributes to its international visibility. Cited: Gobierno Valenciano.
An Alicante businessman in Madrid
The history of the first Spanish International Song Festival, aiming to discover the best song in Spanish across genres, is intriguing. The company behind it is Magnitude Creativa, the music promoter and record label promoting the event, headquartered in Madrid. The chief executive, a well-known Alicante businessman, José Bernabé, has long connections with Hércules CF and its largest shareholder Enrique Ortiz. The visuals Magnitude Creativa used to announce the Valencia event bore a strong resemblance to the Benidorm Fest graphic from 2022.
It was announced that the festival will be hosted in Valencia this June, with Vicente Barrera, vice president of the Generalitat, expected to attend the Madrid event on the date announced for February 14. The vice presidency noted that institutional representation would ordinarily be handled by the General Director of Culture, with Barrera only attending the gala when it takes place in Valencia in June. Cited: Gobierno Valenciano.
“Highlight musical diversity”
According to the festival’s site, this event, whose exact date had not yet been set, aims to highlight musical diversity and promote Spain worldwide. It seeks to serve as a platform for both well-known and emerging artists, enriching the Spanish music scene and encouraging international collaboration, while boosting Spain’s standing in the global music scene and offering a unique experience for the public. Cited: Gobierno Valenciano.
Interested participants can submit proposals in Spanish via the festival’s site for a registration fee of 30 euros. In the second stage, 30 songs will be shortlisted, and the public can vote through the portal. Performers will attend the final gala in Valencia, where a professional jury will determine the winner. The organization states that hosting the event will significantly benefit the city culturally, economically, and in terms of prestige. Cited: Gobierno Valenciano.
Specifically, the site explains that former international song festivals prioritized musical composition, and the goal of the International Song Festival of Spain is to ensure Spanish song visibility, culminating in a finale in Valencia in June with six live finalists. Cited: Gobierno Valenciano.
Prize of 50,000 Euros
The organization notes that the event offers global exposure, valuable industry connections, career development opportunities, and the thrill of performing on big stages. The artist earns 50,000 euros while the composer receives 30,000 euros. Cited: Gobierno Valenciano.
This event bears similarities to the Benidorm Fest organized by RTVE, and this year the Valencian Nebulossa will select Spain’s Eurovision representative. The initial social-media visuals echo the Benidorm Fest look with a mosaic of music-related drawings. Cited: Gobierno Valenciano.