(headline image: Xara, winners of Concurso Runas 2025. The band is set to perform in the 2026 festival.)
More than 100,000 votes were registered in the 2026 edition of the Runas Contest, marking one of the event’s strongest participation totals in recent years. Organized by the Festival Internacional do Mundo Celta de Ortigueira, the competition has promoted Celtic culture and music since 2000.
This year’s results also revealed complete agreement between the public vote and the professional jury. Both selected JDC, Aérokorda, and Leni Pérez & Sekadra as the three finalists set to perform this summer at the festival.
The finalists emerged through a five-vote system. One score came from online public voting through the festival’s official website, while four additional scores came from a professional jury appointed by the festival organization. The panel evaluated each project according to its connection with the festival’s musical tradition and artistic identity.
The jury included a representative from the festival’s communications department, journalist Eva Fernández — editor of the digital magazine Rebelico and a specialist in Galician traditional culture — Pablo Martínez on behalf of the Escola de Gaitas, and Manel López, cultural officer for the Concello de Ortigueira.
The three finalists will perform on July 9 at the Estrella Galicia Stage. Afterward, a new jury selected by the festival’s organizing committee will choose the overall winner. The winning act will return to the festival in 2027 as part of the official lineup and will also appear at the 2026 Festival Internacional Sierra Celta during the town’s Medieval Days celebrations.
Madrid-based JDC, led by Jesús del Castillo, returns to the contest after winning the Runas competition in 2022. The group presents a renewed repertoire centered on strong instrumental arrangements and original compositions.
Belgian group Aérokorda brings a contemporary folk project rooted in Atlantic and Breton influences. Their live performances combine European folk traditions with modern arrangements and a lively stage approach.
Meanwhile, Leni Pérez & Sekadra unite Galician tradition with contemporary folk influences through original material that balances melodic sensitivity and live intensity.
For more information, visit Festival de Ortigueira.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.