‘¡Que viva el baile!’ is set to return this Saturday, 10 October, at the covered venue of La Llama, marking the start of its third edition. The inaugural event will begin at 19:00, with free and open participation for all attendees.
Esther Vélez, the councillor for Culture, explained that this initiative celebrates the folklore, music, and traditional dances of Cantabria, providing an “open meeting space to enjoy our culture.” One of the defining features of ‘¡Que viva el baile!’ is its inclusive and participatory approach. According to Vélez, “no prior knowledge is required” to join in the festivities.
Participants are welcome to dance and sing, as well as play traditional instruments such as panderetas (tambourines), gaitas (bagpipes), pitos (flutes), drums, castanets, and rabels (a type of string instrument). The event also maintains a “micro abierto” format, allowing the audience to actively engage by sharing music, songs, and traditional dances.
Following the inaugural event, ‘¡Que viva el baile!’ will continue from November to May, taking place on the third Saturday of each month at La Llama. Since its inception, the project has been coordinated by the Grupo de Danzas Santa Justa of Ubiarco and the Brañaflor collective, whose involvement has been crucial in shaping these gatherings and bringing traditional dance to a public space in the city.
Vélez praised the efforts surrounding this initiative and encouraged everyone to participate in this new edition, where dancing, singing, playing an instrument, or simply enjoying the folklore are all ways to be part of ‘¡Que viva el baile!’.
