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fter 10 years being a benchmark of social change through culture, the festival could have no more appropriate name as Esperanzah! (Hope). From its first edition with underground musician Manu Chao in Prat de Llobregat, the festival has de-stigmatized the deprived neighbourhood of Sant Cosme by bringing together music and solidarity-based economy. From 10 to 14 October, Parc Nou has a full agenda of concerts, stalls, circus numbers and talks that will prove that another world is possible.
First gesture of goodwill: the four-day ticket funds will be donated (i.e. tax-deductible). It is worth €20 (children, only €1) and the funds collected will be fully destined to several social projects. The Festival Esperanzah! has played a pioneering role in all kinds of mobilizations, and will become in 2018 the first to schedule, for a full day, a 100% feminine line-up (including technicians and security crew) in both stage sites. It will be held on 12th October (incidentally, a relevant festivity), and will be made possible by the ensemble Arte Muhé and the singer Amparo Sánchez (Amparanohia). “This is a compelling attempt to force the spotlight into women in the world of music and we hope this endeavour will inspire future generations”, says Amparo.
A relevant figure: only 13% of the artists performing in ten of the most popular festivals in Spain are female bands and solo artists. This is an injustice that will try to be compensated with this unprecedented Sant Cosme macro concert
Under the motto Esperanzah! es muher, over 80 artists will be on stage: its ideologists themselves, Arianna Pueyo, Ana Tijoux, Vinila Von Bismark, La Mari, Alicia Ramos, Las Migas, Aziza Brahim, Banda Futura, Batucada Tabarilea, Belén Natali, Cía Caí, Dj Laia, Dij Luna, Donadanza, Eva Sierra, High Paw, Jhana Beat, Indira, Iris Serrano, La Bora Visuales, La Canija, Maruja Limón, Maui, Noelia Morgana, Paula Bu, Road Ramos, Sadgala, Samira Stella, Sara Curruchich, Tesa… All of them, united by the hope of “a world in real equality”, adds the female voice of a crossbreed of cultures. A relevant figure: only 13% of the artists performing in ten of the most popular festivals in Spain are female bands and solo artists. This is an injustice that will try to be compensated with this unprecedented Sant Cosme macro concert.
FAREWELL OF SPECIAL GUESTS
Other beacons of this macro concert will be the final legs of the tour of two bands with undisputed (and well-deserved) potential. Txarango has created an exclusive show for this occasion called Abaraka, with a spectacular staging by the ever-poetic Lluís Danés (13th October). “We have consciously chosen this festival for our farewell concert because we share the values that have helped us create our latest work El cor de la terra (Heart of the land) as our own project. From its origins, Esperanzah! has been a model for us, and its transforming power is obvious”, states the band’s charismatic lead singer, Alguer Miquel. And Gossos (Sunday 14) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and little did we suspect their farewell was that close. The band anticipates that they will be accompanied by special guest artists “who feel love and empathy for this festival, as it interprets culture as a vehicle for transformation and change”, highlights its lead singer, Natxo Tarrés. “It is important to have spaces of reflection and action at our disposal. And Esperanzah! has it all”.
The even’t co-director, tireless Óscar Rando, anticipates that they are starting “a process of co-operativization of the festival in order to have a management system for musicians, journalists, public administration, everyone, to be able to participate in this innovating model that aims to give an answer to pending small revolutions and balance existing inequalities”. “Esperanzah! is an excuse to build everything we need to build”.
Featured images:
In order: Esperanzah Festival poster / Amparo Sánchez / Gossos / Arianna Puello / Buhos / AnaTijoux
