Marbella hosts free flamenco, poetry and literature festival from November 18 to 21

Marbella is preparing for four days of flamenco, literature and poetry with the launch of Voces del Sur, a new cultural festival taking place from November 18 to 21, 2026. The event will bring together renowned artists and writers to explore the relationship between Andalusia's different creative traditions and introduce this cultural heritage to audiences of all ages.

The Teatro Ciudad de Marbella will be the main venue, with one of the activities also taking place in Plaza Ramón Martínez, immediately outside the theatre.

The programme features acclaimed performers and writers including flamenco singer Rocío Márquez, poet Jaime Siles, musician Raúl Rodríguez, guitarist Daniel Casares and dancer Juan José Jaén, better known as El Junco.

Under the theme Donde nacen las voces (Where Voices Are Born), the festival will explore southern Spain's cultural identity through performances, conversations and interactive experiences.

All activities will be free, subject to capacity. According to the organisers, invitations can be collected from the theatre box office starting two hours before each session.

Marbella launches a new festival combining flamenco, poetry and literature

The first edition of Voces del Sur has been created with the ambition of becoming a regular fixture in Marbella's cultural calendar.

The project is led by cultural manager Violeta Dávila, with the collaboration of Marbella Town Council, the Paco de Lucía Foundation and support from Grupo La Sala.

The initiative aims to demonstrate how literature, music and flamenco have evolved through a continuous exchange of ideas, artistic expressions and traditions.

Andalusia provides the starting point for this exploration, although the programme will also examine cultural connections that extend beyond the region.

During the official presentation, Carmen Díaz, Marbella Town Council's Director General of Culture, highlighted the importance of introducing an initiative that celebrates Andalusian creativity while expanding the municipality's cultural offering.

The council hopes the first edition will establish the foundations for an annual event.

Meanwhile, Violeta Dávila explained that the project aims to bring together artists who preserve traditional forms of expression with contemporary creators who find new ways of interpreting them.

This combination will be central to a festival that goes beyond conventional performances, offering opportunities for discussion and learning.

Wednesday, November 18: Rocío Márquez, Jaime Siles and Raúl Rodríguez open the festival

The programme begins on Wednesday, November 18, at 7 pm, at Teatro Ciudad de Marbella.

The opening event, La tierra que nos nombra (The Land That Names Us), will bring together poet Jaime Siles, flamenco singer Rocío Márquez and musician Raúl Rodríguez.

The discussion will examine the role of place, memory and personal experience in artistic creation.

It will also explore how landscapes, traditions and cultural influences contribute to shaping a shared identity.

Rocío Márquez will bring the perspective of contemporary flamenco singing, while Raúl Rodríguez and Jaime Siles will discuss the relationship between music and language through their respective artistic backgrounds.

The opening session will introduce the festival's central theme: the connection between cultural roots and new forms of artistic expression.

The event begins at 7 pm, with free admission subject to capacity.

Thursday, November 19: a poetry improvisation workshop for Marbella students

The second day will focus on encouraging creativity among young people.

On Thursday, November 19, at 11 am, Cuban poet and improvisational performer Alexis Díaz-Pimienta will lead a workshop entitled El sur que improvisa (The Improvising South), designed for approximately 120 secondary school students from Marbella.

The educational activity will also take place at Teatro Ciudad de Marbella.

Participants will discover the possibilities of improvised poetry, an artistic form that involves composing verses spontaneously while following specific metrical and rhythmic structures.

The workshop will pay particular attention to the décima, a ten-line poetic form closely associated with the Spanish writer Vicente Espinel, who was born in Ronda.

This poetic structure became widely established in Latin America, where it developed into several traditions of improvised verse.

In Cuba, for example, the décima is part of a cultural expression combining oral storytelling, wit and rhythm.

The workshop will introduce students to the connections between Spanish poetry, Latin American traditions and different musical expressions.

Marbella Town Council has highlighted the educational value of such activities in making cultural heritage accessible to younger generations.

Unlike other festival events open to the general public, this session is specifically intended for students attending local secondary schools.

Friday, November 20: Andalusian Romani poetry meets flamenco guitar

On Friday, November 20, at 7 pm, Teatro Ciudad de Marbella will host La letra y el toque (Verse and Guitar), a performance featuring poet Noelia Cortés and flamenco guitarist Daniel Casares.

The recital will combine spoken poetry with live musical interpretation, creating a dialogue between Andalusian Romani poetry and flamenco guitar.

The performance aims to explore how language can develop a musical rhythm and how guitar playing can convey emotions and meanings traditionally associated with words.

Poetry and flamenco have maintained a close relationship throughout their history, particularly through flamenco lyrics and oral traditions.

In this performance, both disciplines will share the stage to create a unified artistic experience.

The participation of Daniel Casares, a guitarist with strong connections to Málaga province, also reinforces the festival's emphasis on artists linked to the region.

The recital begins at 7 pm and will be free until capacity is reached.

Saturday, November 21: El Junco leads a free flamenco clapping workshop

The final day of Voces del Sur will take the cultural activities beyond the theatre stage.

On Saturday, November 21, at 12 noon, Plaza Ramón Martínez, located next to Teatro Ciudad de Marbella, will host Marbella baila a compás (Marbella Dances to the Rhythm).

This interactive event will introduce participants to some of the fundamental rhythmic elements of flamenco.

The workshop will be led by Cádiz-born flamenco dancer Juan José Jaén, professionally known as El Junco.

During the session, attendees will learn about and practise different forms of rhythmic handclapping, known as palmas, and traditional flamenco rhythms.

The activity is open to people of all ages and requires no previous experience.

This means both flamenco enthusiasts and visitors who have never taken part in a similar workshop will be able to participate.

The event will take place during the week of International Flamenco Day, celebrated every November 16.

Organised in collaboration with the Paco de Lucía Foundation, the activity aims to transform this public square into a meeting place centred on music and Andalusian culture.

The Paco de Lucía Foundation supports the first edition of Voces del Sur

The involvement of the Paco de Lucía Foundation is one of the project's most significant cultural partnerships.

During the festival presentation, Curro Sánchez Varela, a foundation trustee and son of the legendary guitarist, highlighted the importance of promoting initiatives that help preserve flamenco's cultural legacy.

The foundation works to protect and share the artistic heritage of Paco de Lucía, one of the most important figures in bringing flamenco guitar to international audiences.

Its participation in Voces del Sur reflects an understanding of flamenco as an artistic expression that welcomes dialogue with other creative disciplines.

Throughout his career, Paco de Lucía explored new musical possibilities and helped expand flamenco's reach through innovative collaborations and performances.

That spirit of artistic exchange is reflected in the Marbella festival's approach.

The foundation's involvement also strengthens the event's commitment to introducing flamenco heritage to younger audiences and new generations of enthusiasts.

How to get free tickets for Voces del Sur in Marbella

One of the festival's main attractions is that the entire programme will be free.

The organisers have introduced an invitation system to manage access to the different activities.

According to Marbella Town Council, invitations can be collected from the Teatro Ciudad de Marbella box office starting two hours before each session.

Admission is subject to available capacity, so arriving early may be advisable, particularly for events expected to attract considerable interest.

The sessions on Wednesday, November 18, and Friday, November 20, begin at 7 pm, meaning invitations are expected to be available from 5 pm.

The educational workshop on Thursday, November 19, begins at 11 am and is intended for students from local secondary schools.

The final workshop on Saturday, November 21, takes place at noon in Plaza Ramón Martínez and is open to all ages.

No ticket sales have been announced, as participation is free.

Before attending, visitors should consult Marbella Town Council's official channels for any last-minute changes to schedules or admission arrangements.

Where will Voces del Sur take place in Marbella?

Most of the festival will be held at Teatro Ciudad de Marbella, one of the town's municipal cultural venues for performances and stage productions.

The theatre will host the events scheduled for November 18, 19 and 20.

The closing activity on Saturday, November 21, will move to Plaza Ramón Martínez, immediately outside the theatre.

This arrangement combines indoor stage performances with an interactive outdoor experience.

The festival is intended for Marbella residents and visitors from other Costa del Sol municipalities interested in literature, music and Andalusian traditions.

Its four-day schedule offers several opportunities to attend, although each session has a different format and target audience.

Marbella aims to introduce Andalusian culture to new audiences

The first edition of Voces del Sur aims to offer more than a conventional programme of performances.

The initiative encourages reflection on Andalusia's cultural heritage through an approach combining memory, contemporary creativity and public participation.

Bringing together artists from different disciplines will allow the relationship between poetry, music and flamenco to be explored through a variety of experiences.

The workshop for secondary school students reinforces the educational aspect of the programme, while the closing event invites the wider public to participate directly in a musical tradition.

Marbella Town Council has expressed its hope that the festival will continue in future editions.

The project also has the backing of Grupo La Sala, which has joined the initiative as a supporting organisation.

With Voces del Sur, Marbella is adding a new event to its cultural calendar that celebrates established artists while exploring contemporary interpretations of southern Spain's traditions.

From November 18 to 21, Voces del Sur will bring four free cultural activities to Marbella, celebrating the richness of Andalusian poetry, literature and flamenco. It offers an opportunity to enjoy performances by recognised artists, participate in workshops and discover a cultural heritage that continues to evolve while maintaining its roots.