The International Guitar Festival of Córdoba, running since 1980, is one of the most serious guitar events in Europe. Every July, during the first two weeks, guitarists from around the world perform in the city's historic theatres across three traditions that rarely share the same programme elsewhere: classical guitar, flamenco and contemporary music.
Historic venues
The choice of venue matters here. Classical and Romantic repertoire belongs to the Gran Teatro (1,000 seats) — the acoustics suit the music, the setting suits the formality. Flamenco guitar masters take the more intimate Teatro Góngora (500 seats), where the proximity between artist and audience changes how you hear it. The Teatro de la Axerquía hosts contemporary creations and fusions — the programme most likely to surprise you.
Education alongside the concerts
The festival has always run an education strand alongside the main programme: masterclasses with the visiting artists, guitar-making courses (luthierie), flamenco initiation and related courses in flamenco accompaniment, dance, singing and contemporary techniques. More than 200 students from around the world attend these each year. If you're interested in the making of the instrument or the music itself rather than just watching, this side of the programme is worth looking into.
Practical tips
Concerts start at 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm. Tickets run €10 to €40 depending on the event. Book ahead for popular concerts — flamenco evenings at the Teatro Góngora sell out quickly. An evening concert followed by dinner on a terrace in the historic centre makes a good combination. Check the programme in advance on the official website — the lineup changes each year and the quality varies considerably across events.
