The town of Olmedo is preparing for an event that has become a tradition on the summer calendar of Castile and León. This year, the Olmedo Clásico festival celebrates its twentieth anniversary, having established itself as a key venue for rediscovering our great authors. From July 17th to 26th, the Valladolid municipality will once again be buzzing with a program that blends... exquisiteness of classical texts with stagings that connect directly with today's audience.
It's not just about watching theater, but about experiencing something that fills the streets and squares of Olmedo. With a history that has already drawn thousands of attendees, this edition promises to live up to expectations and exceed those seeking quality and artistic rigor. As a taste of what's to come, thirteen performances have been scheduled. They explore the labyrinths of desire, the farcical comedy and the deepest tragedy, demonstrating that the classics have much to tell us about our own current concerns.
Lope de Vega as the central focus of the program
As one would expect in this corner of Valladolid, the Phoenix of Wits will be the guest of honor on such a special occasion. The festival will open with a performance by the National Classical Theatre Company, presenting 'The Knight of Olmedo', directed by Laila Ripoll. It is a play that fits like a glove in the environment and which symbolizes the spirit of a competition that has been able to highlight the value of Spanish literary heritage for two decades.
But Lope's prominence doesn't end there. Attendees will also be able to enjoy other emblematic titles such as 'La dama boba' (The Lady Fool) and 'La vengadora de las mujeres' (The Women's Avenger). These plays allow us to appreciate the versatility of an author who mastered both laughter and tears, and which on this occasion are brought to us by companies of the caliber of Octubre Producciones and Teatro del Temple. It's a golden opportunity to see how the talent of the actors Today's songs bring to life verses that were written centuries ago but retain all their freshness.
Proper names and renowned companies in the Corrala
This year's lineup is simply stunning. The stages of the Corrala del Palacio del Caballero and the San Pedro Performing Arts Center will host many beloved figures. Rafael Álvarez, better known as 'El Brujo', will bring his unique storytelling style with 'Volar con los pies en el suelo' (Flying with Your Feet on the Ground), while Pepe Viyuela will embody Shakespeare's characters in 'Timon of Athens'. Variety abounds, and the truth is that There are options for everyone. tastes, from the most acidic humor to existential reflection.
In addition to great Spanish playwrights like Calderón de la Barca, with his 'Casa con dos puertas mala es de guardar' (A House with Two Doors is Hard to Guard), and Francisco de Rojas Zorrilla, the festival also looks to Europe. Molière and Shakespeare complete an international lineup that demonstrates that great human conflicts know no borders. The closing performance is a highlight, presented by Els Joglars with their interpretation of Cervantes' 'El retablo de las maravillas' (The Marvelous Puppet Show), a satire that It promises to leave no one indifferent. for its biting wit and relevance.
Beyond the tables: training and reflection
Olmedo Clásico is not limited to evening performances. One of its pillars is its academic component, which this year is presented under the theme '20 Years of Classics'. These sessions, to be held from July 20 to 22, aim to delve into the key aspects of Golden Age theater and discuss its future in the digital age. It is the perfect place for experts, directors, and enthusiasts to exchange ideas on how keep the legacy alive from our best writers without falling into empty nostalgia.
For those who want to get their hands dirty and learn the craft from the inside, the 'Fernando Urdiales' Acting Analysis and Interpretation Course is also back for its twentieth edition. Between July 23 and 25, participants will work on aspects such as verse diction, dance, and dramaturgy, culminating in a practical performance. It's a way to ensure that new generations of performers master the necessary tools to deal with texts of great technical and emotional complexity.
An anniversary with a historical backdrop and music
Music will also have its place in this celebration. Ángel Corpa, founder of Jarcha, will offer a recital that links freedom with the classics, including a piece composed specifically to commemorate these twenty years of his career. Furthermore, philological research will be featured with a tribute to Andrés de Claramonte. The centenary of his death will be used to celebrate his work as the author of pieces that marked the origin of myths as powerful as that of Don Juan, often attributed to other playwrights.
To round out the experience, the festival has organized a photographic exhibition by Pío Baruque Fotógrafos. It captures the most magical moments experienced in the town since this adventure began back in 2006. It's a lovely way to see how the event has evolved and to remember all those who have been a part of it. With a budget of around €300.000 and institutional support, the festival has made it possible. has been a key player so that this project continues to thrive and is eager to celebrate another two decades.
The festival's impact on Olmedo is undeniable, doubling the town's population during the last week of July. It is a cultural and economic engine that demonstrates that investing in excellence and knowledge is always worthwhile. The event's directors, Germán Vega and Benjamín Sevilla, have emphasized that the main objective remains... to educate and entertain at the same time, offering the public a mirror in which to see themselves through the eyes of the great geniuses of the past.
The commitment to decentralizing culture is another of this event's strengths, bringing top-tier national productions to a privileged rural setting. Ultimately, what remains is the enduring presence of texts that, despite the passage of time, continue to speak of the human condition, of envy, of love, and of justice. Olmedo thus becomes a laboratory of emotions where spectators can see the consequences of their actions reflected without having to suffer them firsthand, learning from the art of the stage.
This twentieth edition is presented as a feast for the senses, masterfully combining historical rigor with the theatrical freshness necessary to captivate contemporary audiences. With a program ranging from the great dramas of Lope de Vega to the Cervantine satire of Els Joglars, as well as specialized training and academic debate, Olmedo once again positions itself as the capital of classical theater. This is an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the acting talent in an incomparable historical setting, reaffirming that Spanish dramatic heritage continues to be a first-rate cultural engine capable of both exciting and thought-provoking.