Barcelona Summer Festival - El Grec
Barcelona becomes a city of Festivals every summer; but one of the most
varied and eagerly awaited is the one known now simply as 'El Grec' – the Greek.
Although the spectacular bowl-like auditorium of the Greek Theatre itself, on
the northern edges of Montjuic was built in 1929 – for the city's World Fair –
the actual festival named after it has been established only since 1976.
Originally purely a theatrical event, and confined solely to the Greek Theatre,
El Grec now encompasses theatre, music, dance, flamenco, film – even the circus
has a place. Indeed, the spectacular Circus Night is one of the highlights of
the year for many seasoned festival-goers, with acrobats, jugglers, musicians -
and people who just don't fit into a category - all providing a memorable
evening. In 1979, the Festival came under the aegis of the Barcelona
authorities, who saw it as an ideal opportunity to expand El Grec with both
Catalan and international productions. It soon became recognised as one of
Europe's leading multidisciplinary cultural festivals.
Beginning at the end of June and lasting all the way through to the early days
of August, the number of venues has increased in accordance with the Festival's
expansion. The superb setting of the Greek amphitheatre is still at the heart of
numerous events but it has been joined by many of the city's other most
prestigious performance areas. Accordingly, the Palau de la Música, the Fundació
Joan Miró, the Caixa Forum, the Teatre Lliure, even the Plaça del Rei now play
host to concerts and other events; all of them in the evenings and many of them
outdoors.
Over the five weeks of the festival, there are now more than 50 separate
elements of El Grec's varied programme, many involving leading performers and
companies from around the world.
Whether you are searching for jazz, Latin, modern and classical music and
theatre, contemporary, sometimes controversial, offerings or simply world class
performers in one of the world's great city's, El Grec will have something to
offer. Some of the events are free of charge and prices of the others will vary
considerably. Tickets for the performances are on general sale from the May of
the year of the Festival. Full details can be found on the
El Grec website
although at some times of the year it is available only in Catalan. Once the
programme is announced, an English version is available at
Barcelona Summer Festival. Alternatively, tickets can be booked through
Telentrada – either by telephone at 00 34 902 101 212, or on-line at
www.telentrada.com .
Many people don't need much of an excuse to visit Barcelona. It is one of
Europe's most vibrant and colourful cities – a place of stunning, varied
architecture, exciting night-life and fabulous beaches. The Barcelona Summer
Festival, El Grec, brings something additional even to this cultural melting
pot.
Getting to the Catalan capital city has never been easier. Most 'no frills' or
budget airlines fly regularly either to the main Barcelona El Prat airport or to
nearby Girona and Reus. In addition, the high speed AVE train from Madrid and
the improved motorway links have opened up the city to other forms of transport.
And this expansion of transport possibilities has been matched by the vast
numbers of new hotels and hostels that now cater for visitors. The range of
accommodation in Barcelona is as varied as anywhere in the world and there are
many web sites that can offer travellers great advice about what is on offer.
If you're a lover of great culture and a lover of the world's great cities, then
a visit to the Summer Festival of Barcelona, El Grec, gives you a wonderful
opportunity to sample both.
More Information:
El Grec Festival Barcelona (Wikipedia) |
