(Credit: Festival de Granada | Fermín Rodríguez)

While most of the performing arts world has experienced ongoing closure due to the ongoing pandemic, the 69th edition of the Granada Festival has just concluded, putting on 76 events across 32 days in a celebration of music and a tribute to the perseverance shown by those affected by the virus.

Seating at a reduced capacity, the festival managed to hold almost 90 percent of its usual turnout, with over 21,000 people able to attend live. The organization also streamed a number of events through its digital platforms such as the FEX and the Digital Granada, such as dance performances, family shows, and solidarity concerts.

The festival also celebrated the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, with 17 of the 38 concerts being dedicated to the late composer. Among the performers celebrating the iconic composer were Grigory Sokolov, Krystian Zimerman, Martha Argerich, Igor Levit, Javier Perianes, Bertrand Chamayou, and Daniel Barenboim.

“This edition – the 69th – has entered history because it has been totally atypical. It has been the edition of the pandemic, which has been but could not have been. You listened to the comments and everyone is very grateful for the celebration and excited with the result. The public, mostly from Granada, has responded in an incredible way,” said Director Antonio Morel in a press release.