The 2026 International Music Festival begins in La Heroica, celebrating its 20th anniversary with concerts, training and world-class artists.
Cartagena de Indias From today it once again becomes the epicenter of the classical music in Latin America with the official start of Cartagena Music Festivalthat in this 2026 celebrates 20 years of history and will develop from January 4 to 12 in different scenes of the city.
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After the launch concert held in October in Bogotáthe Festival opens its edition number 20 with a commemorative program that reaffirms its place as one of the most important cultural events in the region and as a reference of high level cultural tourism.
Under the thematic axis “The soul & the body: Musical universalism and national schools”this edition invites us to reflect on the dialogue between the universal essence of music and the traditions that have built the sound identities of different countries and regions of the world.
During nine daysthe public will be able to enjoy concerts, academic meetings and training activities that will bring together outstanding national and international performers. The musical journey will range from the European classical repertoire to the so-called national schools, with works by composers such as Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubertas well as representative authors such as Borodin, Mussorgsky, Grieg, Sibelius, Albéniz and Manuel de Falla.
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This anniversary edition not only pays tribute to two decades of artistic excellencebut marks a new stage for the Festival, by integrating innovative proposals, international collaborations and the production of a 19th century operain co-production with an Italian musical institution, strengthening its global projection.
The training vocation will continue to be one of the pillars of the Festival, with the development of conferences, master classes, workshops and audience training strategies, aimed especially at young musicians and luthiers of the countryexpanding its educational impact beyond the stages.
He Cartagena Music Festival was born thanks to the visionary impulse of Victor and Julia Salvi and, throughout his 20 yearshas consolidated an identity based on the artistic qualitythe dialogue between cultures and the promotion of Colombian talent. From 2013the Festival strengthened its thematic model and its international alliances with institutions such as the Spoleto Festivalhe Bologna Communal Theaterthe London Philharmonia Orchestra and the Cremona Luthery Schoolamong others.
Beyond its artistic programming, the Festival generates a direct impact in the cultural, social and tourist life of Cartagena, positioning the city as a key cultural tourism destination in Colombia.
In recognition of his career and sustained contribution, the Congress of the Republic declared to Cartagena Music Festival Cultural Heritage of the Nationthrough the Law 2340 of 2023ratifying its value as a cultural, educational and artistic project for the country.
With this special edition, Cartagena begins the year with a celebration that combines memory, identity and international projectionreaffirming the Festival as a cultural reference of Colombia and Latin America.
Source: Integrated Information System
