Marbella will host the inaugural edition of ‘Voces del Sur’ from 18 to 21 November, a new cultural cycle taking place at the municipal theatre. This event will bring together notable figures from literature, poetry, and flamenco to celebrate the creative capacity of Andalusia and explore the connections between these artistic disciplines.
The initiative was presented by Carmen Díaz, the general director of cultural affairs, alongside its promoter, cultural manager Violeta Dávila; Curro Sánchez Varela, trustee of the Paco de Lucía Foundation; and Federico González, representative of Grupo La Sala. Díaz stated, “This proposal aligns perfectly with our objectives of promoting and disseminating culture, and we hope it will continue in the coming years.”
She emphasised that the programme, under the slogan ‘Where voices are born’, aims to raise awareness of Andalusia's extraordinary creative capacity across literature, flamenco, and other artistic expressions. Díaz particularly highlighted “the richness of language, its nuances, delicacy, and poetry” and expressed gratitude to Dávila for choosing Marbella as the project's location, as well as to the Paco de Lucía Foundation and private entities supporting its launch.
Dávila explained that the initiative “arises from the desire to reflect on how a territory has been able to generate such creativity, generation after generation, and to contribute universal figures to music, literature, and the arts.” She noted that the cycle aims to foster encounters between those who keep traditions alive and creators who find new ways to reinterpret them. “In the south, words, music, and flamenco have mutually nourished each other throughout history, and we want to showcase that dialogue through its protagonists,” she added.
The programme will kick off on Wednesday, 18 November, at 19:00, with ‘The land that names us’, featuring poet Jaime Siles, cantaora Rocío Márquez, and musician Raúl Rodríguez. The discussion will explore the relationship between territory, memory, and artistic creation, as well as the various influences that have shaped the cultural identity of the south.
On Thursday, 19 November, at 11:00, ‘The south that improvises’ will take place, a composition workshop led by Cuban poet and repentista Alexis Díaz-Pimienta, aimed at around 120 students from local high schools. This event, also held at the theatre, will introduce young people to the art of spontaneous verse creation and the history of the décima, a poetic form linked to Vicente Espinel that crossed the Atlantic, took root in Cuba, and returned to Spain as part of flamenco singing.
Carmen Díaz highlighted the importance of incorporating an educational aspect into such initiatives “to facilitate contact for new generations with a cultural heritage that also belongs to them.” The third day, scheduled for Friday, 20 November, at 19:00, will feature poet Noelia Cortés and guitarist Daniel Casares in the recital ‘The lyric and the touch’. This performance will create a dialogue between Andalusian gypsy poetry and flamenco guitar, transforming words into rhythm and music into poetic dimension.
The cycle will conclude on Saturday, 21 November, at 12:00, with ‘Marbella dances to the rhythm’, a participatory activity open to all ages in Ramón Martínez Square, outside the theatre. The gaditano dancer Juan José Jaén, known artistically as ‘El Junco’, will lead a workshop on flamenco clapping and rhythms, allowing attendees to discover and practice different beats. This event, organised in collaboration with the Paco de Lucía Foundation and coinciding with the International Flamenco Day, will not require prior knowledge and aims to turn the public space into a meeting point and collective celebration.
Dávila emphasised that all activities will be free until capacity is reached, with tickets available at the theatre box office two hours before each session. She also stressed the importance of bringing flamenco and poetry to a younger audience “so they can know, enjoy, and take pride in a heritage that is part of our identity,” and expressed hope that ‘Voces del Sur’ will become an annual reference point.
Sánchez Varela reiterated that the proposal aligns with the foundation's goals of promoting flamenco and preserving the legacy of the guitarist. He noted, “The spirit of the programme reflects that curiosity, that need for knowledge and exploration of other artistic sources” that characterised his father's career. “Flamenco is not a sealed compartment but a culture that has been enriched over centuries through its relationship with music, poetry, cinema, and literature,” he affirmed.
Finally, González conveyed Grupo La Sala's support for this first edition and highlighted the importance of local businesses contributing to the development of cultural initiatives that expand and diversify the municipality's offerings.
