The Municipal Folkloric Group of Choirs and Dances of Vélez-Málaga has represented the city at the XXVIII International Folklore Festival of Siero, in Asturias, sharing the stage with groups from Chile, Mallorca, and other Spanish regions.
The Municipal Folkloric Group of Choirs and Dances of Vélez-Málaga has returned from Asturias with the satisfaction of having placed the name of Axarquía at the forefront of the XXVIII International Folklore Festival of Siero. The event, held at the María Campo Theatre Auditorium in Pola de Siero, brought together formations from Chile, Mallorca, and various autonomous communities, but it was the dances and music from Málaga that stole the spotlight.
Verdiales and Malagueñas for the Asturian Audience
The Vélez expedition offered a repertoire that journeyed through various Andalusian provinces, with a special emphasis on verdiales and malagueñas, hallmarks of the province of Málaga. Attendees also enjoyed the granadina reja and the fandangos from Huelva, showcasing the cultural richness of Andalusia.
The group shared the stage with the Municipal Folkloric Ballet of Angol de Bafa (Chile), the Cultural Group Brocalet from Mallorca, the Folkloric Group Cuélebre from Lugones, and the Folkloric Association El Piñote from Argüelles. The camaraderie between groups was one of the festival's highlights, which this year focused on cultural exchange as its central theme.
Cultural Exchange and Future Visits to Vélez-Málaga
Beyond the performance, the trip served to strengthen ties with other groups and the festival's organisation. The representatives from Vélez visited Oviedo and Noreña, where they stayed, getting to know the Asturian heritage. The group has expressed gratitude for the warm welcome from the Municipal Culture Foundation of Siero and the Siero City Council.
The relationship does not end here: next August, representatives from the festival and some of the participating groups will visit Vélez-Málaga to take part in the summer cycle “At the Foot of the Wall”, which, following last year's success, will once again turn the historic centre into a meeting point for national and international folklore. The residents of Axarquía will then be able to enjoy Chilean and Mallorcan dances in their own land.
With this participation, the Municipal Folkloric Group returns home after an intense experience, proudly carrying the name of Vélez-Málaga and contributing to the dissemination of its traditions at one of the most prestigious folklore festivals in northern Spain. The Asturian audience responded warmly, and the Vélez dancers are already thinking about the next event.
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