International world music conference and showcase WOMEX announced today that the 2014 event will be held in Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain) during October 22-26, 2014.
This is the second time in its European travel itinerary, that the international music networking meeting WOMEX will be welcomed to a Spanish city. Santiago is the journey’s end for millions of devout pilgrims via the Camino de Santiago (“Way of St. James”) since the 9th century and the legendary city of Santiago de Compostela will also be WOMEX’s destination.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage city for the extraordinary and well-preserved architecture of its beautiful old town, Santiago de Compostela has been an important meeting place of faith, thinking and cultural exchange since the Middle Ages, reflected also by its prestigious university founded in the 15th century.
Situated in the western extreme of Southern Europe, Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Galicia, renowned for its lush green hills and wild coastline lapped by the Atlantic Ocean; its ancient traditions; its widely-spoken native language, Galician; its extraordinary cuisine – and, of course, its Celtic music.
Some of the best known Spanish artists from the Galician region include piper Carlos Núñez, Milladoiro, Luar Na Lubre, Doa, Susana Seivane, etc. Artists from Galicia who have showcased their talent at WOMEX in the past few years include Berroguetto, Mercedes Péon, Cristina Pato, Mutenrohi, Narf, Xosé Manuel Budiño and Marful.
The bid to host WOMEX 14 in Santiago de Compostela was led by event agency Nordesía; with the support of Xunta de Galicia, the government of the region, through AGADIC and the Foundation of the City of Culture; and the city of Santiago de Compostela through its Department of Culture and Tourism. In addition, cultural agents, gastronomic associations, and, of course, artists from Galicia and Spain are planning to rally together to make the 20th edition of WOMEX a truly exceptional experience.
Daniela Teuber, WOMEX Director of Production, states: “We’re are very much looking forward to holding WOMEX in Santiago de Compostela in Spain in 2014. The complex requirements of our multifarious event and its 2500 delegates are matched perfectly in this picturesque, compact and hospitable city, which has welcomed pilgrims, travelers and guests from abroad for many centuries.”
Vítor Belho, Director of Strategy and Creative Production at Nordesía, adds: “To all WOMEXicans: from the end of Santiago’s Pilgrim’s Way and the Atlantic Land’s End, we are waiting for you to enjoy an experiential journey full of ancestral heritage, powerful nature, flavorful cuisine, great musical diversity, and varied cultural connections. Don’t miss it!”
The WOMEX daytime venue will be the spectacular new ensemble Cidade da Cultura (City of Culture), the masterpiece of Peter Eisenmann. The Showcase Festival will take place in selected venues throughout the old town and on the plazas around the cathedral. Small-scale and easy to navigate, Santiago de Compostela offers a great variety of sights, hotels, restaurants and bars within walking distance.
All WOMEX 12 Thessaloniki delegates and press are invited to the WOMEX 14 Santiago de Compostela presentation on Friday, 19 October at 17:00 in Room C, Pavilion 8. You can also meet the WOMEX 14 local partners at stand number 5.50 in Pavilion 5.
In 2012 WOMEX will be taking place in Southeastern Europe for the first time – in Thessaloniki, Greece, from Wednesday, 17 October to Sunday, 21 October 2012.
Cardiff in Wales, United Kingdom, will be hosting WOMEX next year, from Wednesday, 23 October to Sunday, 27 October 2013. Meet the WOMEX 13 Cardiff partners, Cerdd Cymru : Music Wales, at WOMEX in Thessaloniki at stand number 6.125-6.126 in Pavilion 6.
More information at:
http://www.santiagoturismo.com
http://www.cidadedacultura.org
http://www.turgalicia.es
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
