By Mayeli Villalba
On Saturday,鈥12鈥疛uly鈥2025, at鈥7:30鈥痯m, the Plaza de la Iglesia in Gata de Gorgos will host a special performance by the acclaimed dance ensemble鈥疞a鈥疞lata. The show forms part of the much-anticipated鈥疉rt鈥痑l鈥疺ent鈥2025 festival, which runs until 20鈥疛uly.
The鈥疓rup鈥痙e鈥疍anses鈥疞a鈥疞lata is a leading local folk company devoted to preserving and promoting traditional Valencian dance. Famed for its vivid costumes and lively footwork, the troupe breathes history and community spirit into every routine, blending age-old steps with fresh choreography to delight audiences of all ages.
Art鈥痑l鈥疺ent, now celebrating its 22nd edition, is Spain鈥檚 foremost open-air textile art exhibition and a major driver of tourism across the Marina Alta. After a successful date change last year, it has cemented its role as Gata鈥檚 unofficial summer curtain-raiser and a proud emblem of the town鈥檚 identity.
This year鈥檚 show features鈥87鈥痶extile pieces hung from balconies along Calle Duquesa de Almod贸var and the Plaza de la Iglesia. Works arrive from 20 countries, including Spain, the United鈥疜ingdom, Germany, Mexico and Japan, with several pieces reflecting topical issues such as last October鈥檚 Dana storm. Local participation is also on the rise.
Adding to the line-up, Connecta鈥疨ercussi贸 will take the same stage on Sunday,鈥13鈥疛uly鈥痑t鈥8:00鈥痯m. The dynamic percussion ensemble, well-known along the Costa Blanca for fusing Mediterranean rhythms with Afro-Latin beats, promises an electrifying, family-friendly show featuring drums, marimbas and audience interaction.
Celebrating culture
Textile art has deep roots along the Costa Blanca, where weaving, embroidery and basket-making have long shaped local culture. By turning the town into a giant gallery, Art鈥痑l鈥疺ent reimagines these crafts for the 21st鈥痗entury, reinforcing the region鈥檚 reputation as an artistic hub.
Since its launch in鈥2004, the festival has grown from a regional showcase to an international event, praised for bringing art to the streets and involving residents through workshops, children鈥檚 activities and collaborative projects.
Festival coordinator鈥疛osep鈥疓inestar, of the Municipal School of Experimental Arts鈥疉.鈥疺ives, notes that Art鈥痑l鈥疺ent also honours a cherished tradition: hanging decorative blankets from balconies during village fiestas-still very much alive in Gata today.
Beyond the textiles, the programme features music, talks, guided tours and more. Highlights include the II鈥疞lata鈥疢eeting 鈥 鈥淲omen and Llata鈥 on鈥6鈥疛uly, plus sets by Gospel Choir鈥疌oda, Connecta鈥疨ercussi贸, Serrillas鈥疌hoir and La鈥疪ondalla de鈥疓ata.
Sunday鈥6鈥疛uly, 6:00鈥8:00鈥痯m, Plaza de la Iglesia: II鈥疞lata鈥疢eeting 鈥淲omen and Llata鈥
8:00鈥痯m 鈥 Gospel鈥疌hoir鈥疌oda
Tuesday鈥8鈥疛uly, 7:30鈥痯m: Guided urban and hermitage tour (Tourist Office)
Saturday鈥12鈥疛uly, 8:00鈥痯m, Plaza de la Iglesia: Grup鈥痙e鈥疍anses鈥疞a鈥疞lata
Sunday鈥13鈥疛uly, 8:00鈥痯m, Plaza de la Iglesia: Connecta鈥疨ercussi贸
Friday鈥18鈥疛uly, 8:30鈥痯m, Church: Serrillas鈥疌hoir & La鈥疪ondalla de鈥疓ata
Art鈥痑l鈥疺ent鈥2025 promises a summer brimming with creativity, culture and community spirit in Gata de Gorgos.
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