Andorra International Guitar Festival Kicks Off Ninth Edition with Nine Concerts

The ninth edition of the Andorra International Guitar Festival begins on 15 October in Escaldes-Engordany, spanning multiple parishes with nine concerts featuring artists from Spain, Portugal, France and beyond through October and November.

Organiser Manuel Alonso described the event as a consolidated project after nine years, yet one with significant room to grow and reach new audiences. He aims to position it as a key cultural reference in the Pyrenees with national and international reach, while exploring synergies with festivals and institutions in Catalonia to extend musicians' performances across nearby areas.

The opening Jazz Guitar Night on 15 October at 8.30pm in the Escaldes-Engordany parish council's Sala d’Actes features the Taller de Músics Jazz Guitar Trio, in collaboration with the Barcelona-based Taller de Músics.

On 21 October at 8.30pm, La Massana's Teatre de les Fontetes hosts Ecos de Portugal by duo DUsul—Eudoro Grade and Luis Coelho—blending classical and Portuguese guitar styles, supported by Camões/CICL and the Portuguese Consulate.

The first phase closes on 22 October at the same venue and time with Cordes en Diàleg, uniting French guitarists Frédéric Bernard and Éric Franceries with Ukrainian cellist Igor Kiritchenko in a dialogue between instruments, backed by the French Embassy.

This edition divides into two phases: the first across parishes including Escaldes-Engordany and La Massana, followed by a second in November starting in Andorra la Vella and ending in Canillo. Alonso stressed the need for Andorra to better recognise artists' professional realities, including intermittent work across performances, teaching and projects, to professionalise the cultural sector.

The festival's territorial spread highlights partnerships with local communes and global entities. Full details and tickets are available at AndorraGuitarFest.com.