The Extremaduran company 'El Gato con Jotas' opens today, September 11th, the 35th edition of the Villena Folklore Festival. The free-access performance will take place at 9:00 PM in the Plaza de Santiago. The act, by Sergio Gómez, born in Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), reinterprets traditional songs and rhythms with a modern language, fusing the jota with synthesizers and a contemporary aesthetic.
The presence of 'El Gato con Jotas' aligns with the festival's aim to bring traditional music closer to new generations, bridging ancestral culture and younger audiences. Gómez's project, recognized as Best Band or Artist at the Extremaduran Music Awards in 2026, has already toured over 150 cities.
The festival, running from September 11th to 13th, will feature delegations from Galicia, Panama, and the Valencian Community, alongside the local group Grup de Danzes de Villena. On Saturday, September 12th, participating groups will parade from Plaza de Santiago to the Teatro Chapí at 6:30 PM, followed by an official reception and the Festival Gala at 7:30 PM (symbolic entry fee of 2 euros).
The festival's closing will be on Sunday, September 13th, with a second parade at 10:30 AM from Avenida Santuario to Pinada de Las Virtudes, where a free gala will be held at 11:00 AM, followed by the closing ceremony at 1:00 PM. This coincides with the Fiesta de la Esclavitud, one of Villena's oldest festivities.
Organized by the Casa de la Cultura de Villena (KAKV) and the Grup de Danzes de Villena, with support from the Villena City Council, the Provincial Council of Alicante, and various federations, the festival aims to highlight the Fiesta de la Esclavitud, linking international folklore projection with local traditions.
