The 63rd International Festival of the Cante de las Minas will take place from the 31st July to the 10th August 2024 in La Union, Murcia. This festival of the ‘songs of the miners’ was first held in 1961 as a flamenco cante (singing) competition, the cante por mineras. In 1980 the toque (guitar) competition was added, followed by baile (dance) in 1993. It has grown in importance every year and today holds the title of International Festival and is the most important annual flamenco event in the world.
The festival aims to promote tradition and keep the songs, music and dance alive. During the 9 day event the mining town of La Unión gets taken over by flamenco, with performances by the leading flamenco stars, followed by parties and sessions where anyone can join in known as flamenco juergas (parties). The famous madrugadas flamencas (flamenco sunrises), exhibitions, book and video presentations, flamenco poetry and films complete the programme.
The programme for 2024 is in the pdf brochure below, and tickets are available from the Tourist Office in La Union and all Correos (Spanish Post Offices). For more information in Spanish take a look at the official website.