The mayor of A Coruña, Inés Rey, announced the upcoming Galician tour of 'As Cigarreiras', a major musical and theatrical production supported by the Municipal Band of A Coruña and Cántigas da Terra. The show is set to be performed at the Palacio de la Ópera on 19 November before its premiere at the Pazo da Cultura in Pontevedra on 26 November, as part of the Culturgal programme.
During the presentation, Rey was joined by several key figures, including Juan Miguel Romero Llopis, director of the Municipal Band; Luis Bolón, musical director of Cántigas da Terra; Camilo Franco, director of Culturgal; actress Isabel Risco, who plays the lead role; and Gonzalo Castro, councillor for Culture and Tourism.
'As Cigarreiras' returns following its successful performance during the Semana Clásica of the María Pita festivities in 2025. This collaboration between the Municipal Band and Cántigas da Terra aims to promote the history of the female workers of the Tobacco Factory of Palloza and the 1857 uprising, which is regarded as one of the first labour struggles led by women in Europe.
Inés Rey: "As Cigarreiras is an extraordinary example of how culture allows us to reclaim our history and give voice to the women who helped build A Coruña as we know it today. It is a show that moves, that asserts our collective memory, and that projects our cultural identity into the future."
Rey also highlighted the collaboration between two prominent cultural entities in the city. "The Municipal Band has been bringing classical and contemporary music to the public for decades through high-quality programming, with a special focus on Galicia's musical heritage. It is an essential cultural institution that helps democratise access to culture and cultivate new audiences," she stated.
Additionally, Rey acknowledged the work of Cántigas da Terra, which is currently engaged in a new edition of the Ciclo de Coros Galegos. "We are talking about a cultural reference not only for A Coruña but for all of Galicia. Its century-long commitment to the defence and promotion of the Galician language, music, dance, and traditions makes it a fundamental institution for the preservation and transmission of our culture," she added.
More than a hundred artists will participate in 'As Cigarreiras', a production that blends symphonic music, choral singing, theatre, and dance to recreate the story of the workers from the former Tobacco Factory. The performance will feature the Municipal Band of A Coruña, the Cántigas da Terra Choir, and the Santaia Dance Group, along with a prominent cast led by Isabel Risco.
The production updates the genre of Galician estampas to pay tribute to the women who led the uprising on 7 December 1857, a pivotal event in the city’s social and labour history. Through music, theatre, and dance, the show explores the history of the factory and its workers while commemorating a key moment for the labour movement.
Inés Rey: "A Coruña is a city of talent, creativity, and a rich cultural tradition. Projects like 'As Cigarreiras' are the best demonstration of our entities and professionals' ability to create innovative proposals based on our heritage and history."
Invitations for the performance at the Palacio de la Ópera will be available from 1:00 PM on Tuesday, 20 October, at Ataquilla and the box office at Plaza de Ourense, with each person allowed to collect up to four invitations.
