The town of Rafelbunyol is preparing to host the fourteenth edition of the Rafel Festival, an event taking place from October 10th to 18th. This festival aims to establish itself as a meeting point for contemporary music, artistic creation, technological innovation, and emerging talent, both local and international.
Beyond a simple concert program, the festival is conceived as a comprehensive ecosystem where musicians and creators can develop their projects within the municipality. This initiative fosters contact with other artists and contemporary artistic languages, promoting experimentation and training.
One of the notable novelties of this edition is the introduction of the 1st Rafel Festival Award for Sonic and Technological Creation and the 1st Artistic Residencies for Creation and Performance. These proposals underscore the festival's commitment to supporting new generations and current musical creation.
The program will combine the presence of international figures with proposals that explore the boundaries of contemporary music. Elements such as technology, electronics, visual arts, dance, and sound research will be incorporated. Among the invited artists are French percussionist Philippe Spiesser, known for his experimentation with new technologies, and the Dini Mueter Trio, a Basel-based ensemble that fuses contemporary music with post-punk and electronic sounds.
The festival also seeks to strengthen its ties with the musical community of Rafelbunyol. The participation of musicians from the Societat Musical La Primitiva de Rafelbunyol and Valencian composers and performers will allow for a dialogue between local talent and contemporary scene trends.
Artistic residencies will be key to connecting established performers with young Valencian composers, leading to new projects that will be created and premiered in Rafelbunyol.
Other proposals include the new production Rituals, a collaboration between Ensemble d’Arts and La Crew Dance Studio that will merge live music, electronics, visuals, and dance. Pere Vicalet's Ressonàncies Visuals will also be presented, an experience exploring the relationship between light, image, sound, and technology.
The program will be complemented by a concert from the Banda de la Societat Musical La Primitiva de Rafelbunyol, conducted by Ximo Tarín with Xavi Biosca as soloist. Additionally, training and debate activities will be organized for professionals, students, and new audiences.
With this XIV edition, the Rafel Festival consolidates its commitment to open, innovative, and locally rooted contemporary culture, positioning Rafelbunyol as an active space within new musical and performing arts creation circuits.
