The city of Guadalajara is set to immerse visitors in its rich Renaissance history with the upcoming Jornadas Mendocinas, taking place on 24 and 25 October. Organised by the Tourism Department of the Guadalajara City Council in collaboration with the Asociación Gentes de Guadalajara, this initiative offers a unique opportunity to explore locations linked to the Mendoza family, significant figures in the city's past, through theatrical performances that depict historical characters, customs, and events.
The Jornadas Mendocinas serve as a precursor to the XXXVI edition of the Tenorio Mendocino, which will occur the following weekend, although the two events are distinct cultural offerings. The guided theatrical tours are free and provide an engaging way to connect with the city's historical heritage through interpretation and period recreation.
theatre and opera performances
The theatrical programme will commence on 23 October at 20:00 in the Teatro Auditorio Buero Vallejo with the “Cabaret Cómico Internacional,” part of the Guadaclown cycle. This event will feature performances by Pepín Tre, Raúl Pérez, and Ava la dame en vert, hosted by Natalia Erice and Cayetano Vela. Tickets are priced at €10.
On 24 October at 19:00, the opera “Madama Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini will take the stage, presenting the poignant tale of Cio-Cio-San, a young Japanese woman whose romantic hopes lead to tragedy. This production, directed by Leonor Gago AM & Moldavia Opera, will feature ticket prices ranging from €15 to €24.
Concluding the theatre schedule on 25 October at 19:00 is “La vida extraordinaria,” written and directed by Mariano Tenconi and starring Malena Alterio and Carmen Ruiz. This play explores themes of friendship, personal relationships, and the passage of time, blending emotion, humour, and reflection. Tickets for this performance are available for €16.
market and cultural activities
The Mercado Municipal de Abastos will also join the cultural agenda with the First Producers' Market on 23 and 24 October, featuring local agri-food products, tastings, music, and cultural activities. On 23 October at 18:30, the Asociación Cultural Wad-Al-Hayara will showcase traditional music and dance from Guadalajara, marking the event's opening.
On 24 October at 13:00, players from Deportivo Guadalajara will visit the market to meet fans, and at 18:00, the market will host scenes from the Tenorio related to the Jornadas Mendocinas, enriching its gastronomic offerings with cultural experiences.
Additionally, literature enthusiasts can attend the celebration of the Day of Libraries on 23 October at 19:00 in the Municipal Library “José Antonio Suárez de Puga.” Storyteller Ana María Caro will present “Cuentos a la carta,” allowing attendees to choose from a menu of stories, with free entry until capacity is reached.
The Guadaclown programme will also include a clown initiation workshop on 24 October from 11:00 to 14:00 at the Buero Vallejo Theatre School, focusing on body expression, improvisation, and theatrical play. Furthermore, on the same day, the Fundación Ibercaja Guadalajara will host a children's concert featuring Capitán Corchea as part of the Fiberkaña 150 festival, with tickets priced at €5.
Contemporary art and photography will complete the cultural offerings, with the Medarde Space in the Mercado de Abastos concluding its exhibition “Naturaleza y control” by photographer Carlos Cánovas on 24 October. The Francisco Sobrino Museum will continue to showcase “Umbrales de color y materia. La poética espacial de Rosa Brun,” exploring the relationships between painting, sculpture, architecture, and space, alongside “Diálogos en el silencio” by Job Sánchez Julián, dedicated to geometric abstraction. The museum will offer free entry, with visiting hours on Saturday from 9:30 to 13:30 and 16:30 to 20:30, and on Sunday from 9:30 to 13:30.
This weekend promises to transform the streets of Guadalajara into Renaissance stages, with the Buero Vallejo hosting a variety of performances and the Mercado de Abastos blending local flavours with folklore and historical recreations, inviting all to explore the city's heritage, venues, and traditions.
