The second Navideña Feria Internacional de Las Culturas, organised by the Ayuntamiento de Madrid, will take place this year in Matadero Madrid, from 15-23 December.
This festival will celebrate the diversity of Christmas and winter-time traditions from all over the world, and will see the participation of over 75 Embassies and cultural institutions. Over 250 exciting events, for all ages, will be held over nine days.
Here will be some wonderful activities which have been organised in collaboration with friends of the Irish Embassy to bring Irish culture, music, sport and literature to this Fair.
hope to see you at some or all of the festivities. These are free, non-ticketed events, which are open to all – just turn up!
Participation of the Embassy of Ireland in the Navideña Feria Internacional de Las Culturas, Madrid 2016
Traditional Music and Dance: Irish Treble
DESCRIPTION: “A journey to Ireland through dance”. Irlanda en Danza is a show for all ages which combines traditional and modern dance with jigs, slip-jigs, reels and other typical steps of Irish dance, all accompanied by talented musicians on stage. They will also be doing a special workshop to teach you the various basic steps of Irish set dancing so that you can join in the fun!
DATE: Friday 16 TIME: 19:00
VENUE: PATIO CENTRAL, MATADERO MADRID
Sport: Workshop with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
DESCRIPTION: An interactive workshop organised by the GAA and the Madrid Harps for adults and children to teach you how to play some of Ireland’s national sports, Gaelic football and hurling. The GAA is an important Irish sporting and cultural organisation and since its founding at the beginning of the 19th century it has played a very big part in Ireland’s cultural heritage.
DATE: Saturday 17 + Sunday 18 TIME: 12:00
VENUE: EXPLANADA NEGRA, MATADERO MADRID
Traditional Music and Dance: Púca Óg (with dancers from Irish Treble)
DESCRIPTION: Puca Óg is a traditional folk band based in Madrid. Their performance will focus on some Christmas traditions in Ireland, including the famous Wren Boys celebrated on St. Stephen’s Day. They will be playing some traditions tunes and will be accompanied by dancers from the group Irish Treble.
DATE: Sunday 18 TIME: 13:00
VENUE: PATIO CENTRAL, MATADERO MADRID
Drama: The Dead
DESCRIPTION: A Reading of “The Dead” by James Joyce. The Bloomsday Society, together with the Yeats Society, will be putting on a dramatised reading of “The Dead”, following a Christmas tradition in Dublin.
DATE: Sunday 18 TIME: 20:00
VENUE: PLATÓ DE CINETECA, MATADERO MADRID
Music: The John McCormack Songbook, performed by Irish tenor Ross Scanlon
DESCRIPTION: The well-known Irish tenor, Ross Scanlon, and pianist David O’Shea, perform classics from the repertoire of the great Irish tenor John McCormack.
DATE: Wednesday 21 TIME: 19:00
VENUE: AUDITORIO CASA DEL RELOJ, MATADERO MADRID
