The 22nd edition of the Fira Mediterrània draws to a close, positioning itself as a strategic “roots” market

28 performances were premiered during the four-day event, 16 of which were world premieres

  • 28 performances were premiered during the four-day event, 16 of which were world premieres
  • The Fira has calculated a 79% occupancy rate in the paid performances
  • The Fira accredited a total number of 1185 professionals from 641 different entities
  • The ‘Llotja de la Fira’ (Fira Business Area) consolidates a model of activities that attracts professionals and generates a high occupancy rate at all times

Manresa, Sunday 13 October 2019   Today marked the last day of the 22nd Fira Mediterrània de Manresa, the first under the artistic management of Jordi Fosas, who proposed a schedule of events that was based on “root” proposals that open our eyes to the present. This schedule of events was structured around three main axes: contemplations, young people and gender. The Fira, the only strategic market of a multi-disciplinary nature, with over 300 activities, has turned Manresa into the nerve centre of popular culture, the performing arts and world and folk music.

During the course of the four-day event, a total number of 117 companies carried out 158 performances. Of these companies, 76 were from Catalonia, 22 from elsewhere in Spain and 19 were from foreign countries. The schedule of events comprised 28 premieres: 16 world premieres, 8 Catalan premieres, 2 Spanish premieres, 1 currently being created and 1 preview.

This year, the Fira accredited a total number of 641 entities and 1185 professionals, with 80 more accreditations than last year’s event. With regards to their origins, 887 of the performers were Catalan, 114 were from elsewhere in Spain and 184 were from foreign countries. Manresa welcomed professionals from 40 different countries, including performers from Cuba and Uzbekistan for the first time. The most represented foreign countries were France and Italy.

The Llotja consolidated itself as a key meeting, reunion, business and exchange point. In this year’s edition, the Llotja held 46 different stands, representing 100% of its capacity. The activities proposed in the Llotja were very well received by the accredited parties, particularly the professional sessions dedicated to the issue of genre on stage, with 214 people participating and 516 quick meetings being successfully held.

Regarding the schedule of events, this year’s occupancy rate slightly increased compared to last year, sitting at 79%. 19 performances were sold out, seven more than in last year’s event. Of the 121 artistic performances, 37.19% were paid events and 62.81% were free-to-enter.

Contemplations, young people and “roots”: the axes of the schedule of events.

The artistic management configured a schedule of events involving artistic proposals based on traditional roots as a creative motor which are conceived to be contemplated in a plethora of ways, opening our eyes to the present.

Over the four days of the Fira Mediterrània, the Manresa audience managed to embrace, through the schedule of events, the three axes proposed by Jordi Fosas for this year’s event: contemplations, young people and gender.

On one hand, attendees were able to enjoy proposals from consolidated artists in the contemporary arts, who presented their specific contemplation of popular and traditional culture. This was the case of Animal de Séquia, by Sol Picó and the Banda Chapicó, whose performance marked the opening of the Fira, as well as those of Alessandro Sciarroni, Llibert Fortuny, Obseses with the Cobla Berga Jove and the Cor d’Obeses and Robert Olivan, Magí Serra, Laurent Delforge and Vox Bigerri.

On the other hand, the Fira also witnessed a warm reception for proposals from emerging artists, focusing their creative work on traditional roots. Marala Trio, Tarta Relena and Arnau Obiols, meanwhile, despite not being well known by the audience and the participating professionals, sold out their performance spaces.

Finally, other projects were presented that spoke about and reflected on gender issues, aiming to demonstrate how, basing ourselves on our roots, we can create proposals that open our eyes to the present. Such proposals were presented by Laia Santanach, Pol Jiménez and Organik Dantza, amongst others.

Other highlights of this year’s schedule of events included the emergence of Focus Sardenya in Manresa, presenting the intangible heritage of the Carnevale di Ottana which proved to be one of the most revealing experiences of this year’s Fira Mediterrània. Another highlight was maridatge amb bandes, which promoted interchange, interaction and intersection between heritage, popular culture entities and the professional sector.

The 22nd edition of the Fira Mediterrània was brought to a close by Cesare Dell’Anna & Girodibanda. Under the lights of a cassarmonica, the bandstand that provides the quintessential stage for music groups in Southern Italy, composer and trumpeter Cesare Dell'Anna and the Puglia Girodibanda band embarked on an artistic journey in Salento. The performance also included the participation of many of the bands who played during the 22nd edition of the Fira, with over 200 different musicians.

Regarding venues, the Fira views the increased attendance in la Taverna very positively, after changing it to a free venue for the four-day event. L’Anónima, la Capella del Rapte and La Buresa (Casa Torrents) were also well received as new exhibition spaces, held in unique and historical venues in the city of Manresa.

Indicators of the 22nd edition of the Fira Mediterrània

Total number of professionals (producers, press and artists): 1185

Catalans: 887

Elsewhere in Spain: 114

International: 184

Professional entities: 641

Companies and performances:

Total number of companies: 117

Companies from Catalonia: 76

Companies from elsewhere in Spain: 22

International companies: 19

Performance spaces: 22

Premieres: 28

  • World premieres: 16
  • Catalan premieres: 8
  • Spanish premieres: 2
  • Projects in the creation process: 1
  • Preview: 1

Professional entities:

Occupancy rate: 79%

Tickets sold: 7,837

Artistic performances: 121

Paid performances: 37.19%

Free performances: 62.81%

Sold out sessions: 19

Professional session sign-ups: 214

Recruitment session sign-ups: 174

Project presentations: 43

Quick meetings: 516

Llotja stands: 45

Fira Passeig stalls: 103 (including food trucks and stalls in the Plaça de Sant Domènec) Schools at FiraEscoles: 14

Students at FiraEscoles: Approximately 2200

Activities:

Total number of activities: 309

  • Artistic performances: 158
  • Professional activity: 136
  • + Mediterranean: 15

The 23rd edition of the Fira Mediterrània de Manresa is due to take place from 15 to 18 October 2020.