This year's edition of the Renaissance Festivals in Úbeda, taking place from July 2nd to 5th, will center around the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Emperor Charles I of Spain and V of Germany's arrival in the city. This event, one of the most significant on the local cultural and tourist calendar, promises to transform the historic center into a living stage of the era.
The official inauguration will be on Thursday, July 2nd, at 9:30 PM with the reenactment of Charles V's entrance, which will parade through several streets to the Plaza de Andalucía for the Swearing of the Charters. As a new feature, the vertical dance performance 'The Emperor's Dance' will be presented, with dancers suspended from the Clock Tower, recreating imperial dances designed for the occasion.
The Minor Basilica of Santa María de los Reales Alcázares will be a focal point with a series of conferences, exhibitions, and guided tours. On Friday, July 3rd, a round table will be held on the centenary of the declaration of Santa María, San Nicolás, and San Pablo as National Monuments, and the Sacred Chapel of El Salvador will host a concert by the Capilla Musical de los Seises del Salvador.
The Corral de Comedias (Comedy Corral), located in the Cloister of Santa María, will be revived, offering Golden Age theatrical performances on the nights of July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, including productions like 'Fuenteovejuna' and 'El Bululú'.
The program includes over fifty activities for all audiences, such as the Renaissance Market, exhibitions by Italian flag bearers, aerial acrobatics, falconry, historical encampments, children's Renaissance events, participatory workshops, and themed parades. The tavern area at the Eras del Alcázar will be expanded for greater comfort.
The festival will conclude on Sunday, July 5th, at 10:45 PM in the Plaza Vázquez de Molina with 'Flotados', a multidisciplinary performance by David Moreno and Cristina Calleja combining live music, aerial dance, visual projections, and a piano suspended in the air.
