María Jesús Pelayo, the first vice president of the Diputación de Ciudad Real and head of the Sociocultural and Tourism Promotion Area, emphasised the provincial institution's dedication to cultural initiatives that stimulate the region, attract visitors, and foster interest in poetry among younger generations. Pelayo attended the opening of the 40th Encuentro de Poesía Española at the Teatro Municipal in Almagro, which featured a poetic-musical recital by Aurora Luque, accompanied by José Corrales Díaz-Pavón and the Dúo Belcorde.
Expressing her satisfaction at participating in an event that has spanned four decades and serves as a cultural reference in the province, Pelayo commended the Diputación's technicians who organise the meeting each year and enhance its content. She highlighted the efforts made to expand this year's offering to seven high-quality activities.
Pelayo defended the importance of continuing to support activities that yield positive returns for local municipalities. She noted that Almagro is one of the main gateways for tourism in the province, and events like this meeting help project its image beyond the region.
The presence of Aurora Luque, a recipient of the National Poetry Prize and a distinguished literary figure, adds an extra appeal to the programme, which aims to connect renowned creators with local artists. Pelayo also mentioned the contributions of José Corrales Díaz-Pavón and the Dúo Belcorde, showcasing local talent.
Particular attention was given to the educational aspect of this edition, which includes new activities aimed at secondary school students while maintaining offerings for younger audiences. The Diputación has sought to provide students with the opportunity to experience poetry in the Teatro Municipal, believing that the theatrical setting adds special value to their engagement with literature and the arts.
“We want to bring poetry closer and ignite an interest in theatre,” Pelayo stated, emphasising the importance of immersing young people in the magic of the stage and discovering new cultural interests.
Pelayo added that igniting interest in poetry among younger generations is one of the Diputación's primary objectives with this programme.
Aurora Luque praises the meeting's legacy
Poet Aurora Luque expressed her surprise and admiration for the legacy of the Encuentro de Poesía Española in Almagro, an initiative she was previously unaware of until her participation in this 40th edition. Luque acknowledged that she primarily associated Almagro with its theatrical prestige and the International Classical Theatre Festival, making the discovery of a poetic gathering with four decades of history particularly significant.
She praised the variety and quality of the programme, noting that it is remarkable for a city like Almagro to sustain such a large-scale cultural event for so long. Luque pointed out that other larger cities do not have similar cultural initiatives.
Luque also expressed optimism about the current state of poetry, noting a resurgence of interest in books and a renewed vitality in poetic creation since the pandemic. While acknowledging that poetry remains a minority discipline, she highlighted the deep connection and loyalty of its readers, for whom poetry represents more than mere entertainment.
Programme details
The 40th Encuentro de Poesía Española, organised by the Diputación de Ciudad Real through its Sociocultural and Tourism Promotion Area, has a provincial investment of €31,000 and will run until Saturday, 24 October. All activities will take place at the Teatro Municipal in Almagro and are free to attend until full capacity is reached.
Following the inaugural recital by Aurora Luque, the programme will continue on Wednesday, 21 October, at 20:00 with El Naán Dúo, presenting “La desaparición de las luciérnagas,” a performance blending poetry, oral tradition, and rural cultural expressions.
Thursday, 22 October, will focus on bringing poetry to young audiences. In the morning, narrator and writer Aldo Méndez will lead “Más que palabras,” an activity for fourth-year secondary students exploring Romanticism and the works of key Spanish literary figures, including Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and José Zorrilla, with a focus on “Don Juan Tenorio.” Two sessions will be held at 10:00 and 11:15, involving 129 students from local schools.
That evening, the Banda de Música de Almagro will present “¿Qué nos canta la Zarzuela?” a poetic-musical performance celebrating this genre and highlighting the involvement of a group closely linked to the local cultural scene.
On Friday, 23 October, at 12:00, Veleta Roja will perform “Cantar y contar todo es empezar,” aimed at primary school students, returning after a successful previous edition. Later that evening, at 20:30, cantaor Gregorio Moya, a winner of the Lámpara Minera at the 2025 International Cante de las Minas Festival, will present “La poesía del flamenco,” showcasing the relationship between flamenco singing and poetic expression.
The meeting will conclude on Saturday, 24 October, at 20:30 with an acoustic concert by Anni B Sweet, providing a contemporary perspective to the closing of this 40th edition and wrapping up five days dedicated to poetry and its dialogue with other artistic disciplines.
