The Festival of Renaissance and Baroque Music in Vélez-Blanco has kicked off its twenty-fifth edition, an anniversary being celebrated until July 25. The event features a unique program of musical and academic events, alongside recognitions for the individuals and institutions that make this cultural happening possible. The inauguration brought together representatives from all collaborating public administrations and entities.
The official inauguration ceremony was attended by the rector of the UAL, José J. Céspedes; the mayor of Vélez Blanco, Ana María López López; the Festival's director, Cándida Martínez López; the representative from Cajamar, Diego Aznar Parra; the provincial deputy for Culture, Almudena Morales Asensio; the territorial delegate for Health and Consumption of the Junta de Andalucía, Juan de la Cruz Belmonte Mena; and the vice-rector of the International University of Andalusia (UNIA), Carmen Pozo Muño. Also present was the director of the Summer Courses at the UAL, Amalia Magán.
The event served as the opening for the commemorative program and included the presentation of the XXV Festival Recognitions, honoring four individuals closely linked to the history of the event: historian Bernard Vincent; Carlos Carrión Navarro, mayor when the project was born; Leopoldo Pérez Torrecillas, piano professor; and Fernando Martínez López, professor and Festival director for over fifteen years.
The speeches emphasized the conviction that the festival demonstrates how culture generates knowledge, social cohesion, territorial development, and projection for the locality. The importance of collaboration among institutions, entities, universities, volunteers, and the population of Vélez Blanco was highlighted.
Mayor Ana María López underscored the transformative nature of the project for the municipality, turning it into a benchmark. Festival director Cándida Martínez López championed culture as a valuable asset and the capacity of a small town to become a reference point through rigor and cooperation.
Diego Aznar Parra, from Cajamar, valued the event's connection between heritage, training, and territorial identity. The provincial deputy for Culture, Almudena Morales Asensio, noted that the festival is an essential part of Almerian identity and shows that a municipality in the interior can build a cultural project of international prestige.
The territorial delegate for Health, Juan de la Cruz Belmonte Mena, defined the event as an opportunity for development through heritage and history. The vice-rector of the UNIA, Carmen Pozo Muñoz, stated that the recognitions show that lasting achievements are the result of effort and commitment.
The rector of the UAL, José J. Céspedes, described the festival's outcome as an "absolute success" and highlighted the social and institutional unanimity regarding its excellence. Fernando Martínez López recalled the founding principles: "Commitment to culture, music, education, and knowledge transfer to rural areas," and the aim to "put Vélez Blanco on the national and international agenda."
Following the official ceremony, the inaugural concert was performed by Íliber Ensemble, conducted by Darío Tamayo, and countertenor Manuel Ruiz, presenting "Héroe desvelado," a program awarded the Sello FestClásica 2026 Prize.
The concert offered a musical narrative around the heroic figure, exploring works by Muffat, Händel, Hasse, Brescianello, Vivaldi, Legrenzi, and Alessandro Scarlatti. The program choice was particularly significant for this special edition, confirming the expectations and the excellent artistic moment of Manuel Ruiz and Íliber Ensemble.
