Canillo's Escènic Arts Festival Returns with 22 Global Shows

Canillo's fifth Escènic Arts festival, running from 1 to 8 August, will feature 22 performances from companies in six countries—Kenya, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Andorra, and France—across parish venues including Plaça Prat del Riu, the Prat del Riu amphitheatre, the riverside promenade, the old town centre, Carrer Perdut alleyway, Càmping Pla, and the Tarter neighbourhood.

The event, backed by the Canillo council with €265,000 alongside contributions from new sponsor Creand Crèdit Andorrà and Andorra Turisme for a total budget of €310,000, has secured the EFFE Label from the Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe association, backed by the European Commission and European Parliament. Festival director Oriol Vilella highlighted a programme blending international prestige, local roots, and emerging creators to elevate its global cultural profile.

The 1 August schedule kicks off at 7pm in Plaça Prat del Riu with Olé by Paul Morocco and The Smooth Criminals, a gestural theatre, music, and comedy show. At 8:30pm in the Prat del Riu amphitheatre, the Black Blues Brothers—Kenyan acrobats making their festival debut—deliver high-energy circus acts. The evening closes at 10pm at Càmping Pla with SuperCho's SuperShow, fusing pyrotechnics, urban dance, and electronic music, with contingency plans for weather and fire risks in place.

Other highlights include La Belle Illusion by French troupe Remue Ménage, Yllana's GOOL and Lo mejor de Yllana, and visual arts projects such as photographer Gemma Pla's La Bvellesa del Pirineu, turning the old town into an open-air portrait gallery of Canillo figures. The riverside promenade hosts TILT's light installation Lampoounette, while Javier Riera integrates light and geometry into natural spaces.

Local acts feature Anna Mangot's Cabdal with the Jove Companyia Nacional de Dansa d’Andorra, music by Bernat Torra, poetry from Bruna Generoso and Laia Còrdoba, and theatrical storytelling by Animal Escola de Teatre students. Organisers are monitoring conditions with firefighters and civil protection services.