Salares goes back in time with its Arab-Andalusian festival this weekend

Salares steps back in time this weekend to celebrate its Arab-Andalusian Festival, which will commemorate the era when Jews, Arabs, and Christians coexisted in the town. The event kicks off on Friday with the traditional video report that recaps the past year's events, and at 21:40, the concert by 'Alcabala' will begin, followed by a parade featuring music from the Trio Axarquía.

The initiative will offer a varied program of activities, including concerts, lectures, and educational workshops, such as one on spices.

Program XXIII Arab-Andalusian Festival of Salares

On Saturday at 09:00, the day will start with a community breakfast, and an hour later, the guided tour 'Sustainable Axarquía' will commence. At 10:30, the public can visit the painting exhibition by artist Manuel Fernández. From 12:00 to 13:00, there will be an educational talk by Amin Chaachoo, considered the most important musician of Andalusian music, titled 'The Metaphysical Symbolism in Andalusian Music.'

This will be followed by an educational concert of Sephardic music by Javier Claros, Alba Bermejo, and Mario Castillo and a tasting of chicken Tajín and sangria. At 17:00, children can enjoy face painting, balloon twisting, and the 'Treasure Hunt with Alibaba and the 40 Thieves'.

The lighting of candles to illuminate the streets of the village will be at 20:00. The evening will continue with the sound of drums, oriental chimes, and dances of the Zíngani parade with 'Torches and Fire.' Following this, the women and men of the 'Dawn Light Choir' from Salares will sing pasodobles, fandangos, rumbas, and sevillanas. Throughout the evening, there will be tastings of Moorish skewers, soft drinks, and beer.

The official ceremony will be at 21:00. The opening speech will be given by Inmaculada Fernández López, a teacher and president of the Dawn Light Choir of Salares, prior to the Alminar 2025 Awards. The official ceremony will conclude with a pyrotechnic fireworks show.

Falconry and Film Workshop

Sunday's activities will start with an Andalusian breakfast featuring hot chocolate with churros and the opening of the souk. From 10:00 to 12:00, the educational workshop 'Imagining Al-Andalus: Scripts for Cinema,' led by Tarik Boubker, a film director from Chaouen, will be open. From 12:00 to 14:00, there will be an Andalusian Spice Workshop, conducted by the Muslim Women's Association Hidaya. Throughout the day, there will be various musical performances by local entities, and the day will end at 18:00 with a falconry exhibition, tea tasting, and a performance by Rocío Guerra with 'Mi Garlochí'.