The ‘En clave rural’ project, organised by the Alto Guadiana Mancha Association, took place in Manzanares, offering a cultural and gastronomic day that attracted around twenty participants to the museums located in Casa Malpica.
This initiative aims to highlight and enhance the exceptional historical, cultural, and gastronomic heritage of the localities it encompasses through tourism activities such as theatrical performances, guided visits, and tastings of local products. Isabel Díaz-Benito, a representative of the Manzanares City Council in the association, and Paco Gómez, a member of the association's board, elaborated on the project's objectives.
The day began with a performance by the ‘Almenia’ theatre group from Alhambra, which presented ‘Farsa y justicia del señor corregidor’, a comedic play by Alejandro Casona that addresses judicial corruption. Following the performance, attendees visited the Ignacio Sánchez Mejías Archive-Museum, where they learned about the fascinating life of the bullfighter, writer, and multifaceted figure of Spanish culture, who was a close friend of Federico García Lorca, the poet who dedicated the famous elegy ‘Llanto por Ignacio Sánchez Mejías’ to him.
The event concluded with a tasting of four wines paired with local cheeses, led by sommelier Félix Javier Delgado. Participants sampled wines from Casa La Teja, Guadianeja, Yuntero, and Casa de la Viña, accompanied by cheeses from Cabrera, El Hidalgo, Campomancha, and Las Navas. Additionally, five bags filled with local products were raffled off, marking the end of a day dedicated to culture, community, and the promotion of local goods.
This collaborative effort between administrations, associations, and the business sector aims to encourage residents to rediscover and appreciate the hidden wealth of their local environment rather than solely looking outward. In addition to fostering regional identity, the association plays a crucial economic role by channeling grants and financial aid that support the establishment and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in the municipalities of the region.
Isabel Díaz-Benito urged businesses and entrepreneurs in Manzanares to explore the grants and assistance that this regional association can manage on their behalf. Alto Guadiana Mancha, which includes the Manzanares City Council, also secures funding for public investments in the municipalities it represents. The latest project benefiting the city is the installation of a lift in the Gran Teatro.
