Orihuela is preparing for a weekend of art and culture with the celebration of the 11th San Isidro Murals Festival, which will take place from May 9th to 11th.

“This weekend, the San Isidro neighborhood of Orihuela once again becomes an open-air museum, where poetry, music, and painting merge to pay tribute to Miguel Hernández,” said Anabel García, Councilor for Culture. She also emphasized the importance of the celebration, stating that “it has established itself as one of the most important cultural events in our city and the region.”

Art and Citizen Participation as Hallmarks

Since 1976, groups, associations, and artists have dedicated themselves to painting the neighborhood’s facades with scenes, verses, and symbols of Hernández. “This event has brought together artists and audiences from different fields, creating a space for cultural exchange that allows us to experience and breathe Miguel Hernández’s legacy through various artistic disciplines,” the councilor added.

Program for the 11th Edition

Anabel García highlighted the extensive cultural program for the 11th Edition. “We will feature exhibitions, poetry recitals, sensory workshops, and tourist routes, as well as children’s parties with inflatables and workshops for the little ones.”

The program will begin on Friday, May 9, at 4:00 p.m. with the official opening by the students of the Jesús María de San Isidro School in San Isidro Park. At 5:00 p.m., the students themselves will act as guides on a route entitled “Contemplate my neighborhood,” and at 5:30 p.m., the artists will be welcomed and the traditional mural painting will begin next to Plaza Gitanilla. That same day, at 6:00 PM, the mural tribute to Orihuela painter Guillermo Bellod will be unveiled by artist Eva Ruiz.

During the afternoon, visitors can also enjoy the exhibition “Miguel Hernández. Music will take over with a concert by the group “Uña y Carne” in the Plaza de la Ermita, followed by a set by DJ Adrian at 11:30 p.m.

“Cabra Mecánica” (The Mechanical Goat), the musical highlight of the evening

Saturday will be an intense day, with activities for all audiences from 8:30 a.m. until night. Mural creation will continue throughout the day, accompanied by poetry recitals, musical parades, sensory workshops, and children’s activities, such as the “Ríete siempre” (Always Laugh) party with inflatables and crafts. The Miguel Hernández exhibition will be open both morning and afternoon, and the tourist train will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Saturday afternoon will also include the dramatized tour “Entre poetas” (Among Poets), musical performances by guitarist Sergio García, and the awards ceremony for the 1st Young Poetry Contest.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be The concert by the group “La Cabra Mecánica,” as announced by Anabel García, “the day will culminate with the concert by ‘La Cabra Mecánica’ at 10:30 p.m. in the Plaza de la Ermita.”

On Sunday, May 11, the activities will continue early in the morning with the final day of “mural painting,” from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and “we will have the ‘Mercadearte’ Craft Market, a space for local artists to exhibit and sell their products,” the councilor noted.

Once again, the events include children’s workshops, an exhibition about the Orihuela poet, the open microphone program “Reciting Miguel,” and the dramatized tour “Among Poets.” The closing concert with the group La Espartera will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the Guernica.

Free tourist train service during the weekend

In addition, “visitors will be able to enjoy a free tourist train service that will connect the center of Orihuela with the San Isidro neighborhood, facilitating access to the murals,” recalled Anabel García, who also reported on the installation of an information point near Guernica to guide attendees.

The train will be available on Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In addition, an information point will be set up next to the Guernica mural to guide attendees. “We will also have an information point at Guernica to accompany and guide everyone who comes to enjoy this very special event,” she explained.

The councilor closed by thanking everyone involved in this cultural event. “I want to take this opportunity to thank all the artists, groups, and collaborators who, year after year, make this great event possible. It is not only a tribute to Miguel Hernández but also a showcase of the cultural richness that characterizes Orihuela.”