The International Folklore Festival Ingenio, a two week event, adds a rainbow of colours to the town from mid July to early August. Although there are various areas within the town where shows are performed, the main event takes place on the Plaza de la Candelaria which is in the upper part of Ingenio town. The program is published a couple of months before the festival.
Since its first edition in 1996, the main purpose of this festival is to unite all five continents through music and dance. Folklore groups from over 40 countries have participated in the events over the years. A few local groups mixed with a dozen invited international groups guarantee each year a wide range of rhythmic music and choreographies that you would not ordinarily see on the one stage.
What to Expect at the International Folklore Festival Ingenio
Many Folkloric groups from all over the world send proposals to the association responsible for running the event in the hope they may be chosen to perform. Initially 20 companies are chosen. This is then revised and a final decision is made based on what the available budget allows. This being said, expect to see a diverse selection of dancers and music groups during this festival.
Highlights of the Folklore Festival Ingenio are the many street parades, which are performed by all the groups involved in different areas of the town, all meeting up at the cultural centre at the end of the parades. During the parade the town bursts with a mix of music, dance and colour. You will see the most colourful costumes you’ve ever seen from all different countries. At the end of the festival all groups meet for the big gift ceremonies, with an exchange of presents that represent their home land.
Feel free to stay and enjoy the parties with the locals, and add a great experience to your holiday. If you are fortunate to be in Gran Canaria during the festival then do not miss out on the opportunity to see some of the festival. Ingenio can be reached by bus if you do not have your own transport. But do check with the program for the particular location as it is a long walk from the bottom of Ingenio to the top! If you are not lucky enough to make this event, you can see it on local television.
Text: Amanda Belmonte
Quick Overview
Name: International Folklore Festival Ingenio
Place: Ingenio
Time: Day and Night
Date: 10 – 23 July
Highlights: Street Parades
Official Web Page: Ayuntamiento de Ingenio
Tell us what you think
Tell us what you think! We would love to know. You can leave your comments below.
More from our Blog:
Our Latest Posts
Our Popular Pages:
ACTIVITIES – What to Do in Gran Canaria
My name is Amanda Belmonte and I am a web/graphic designer and photographer. I have lived in the Canary Islands for almost 15 years. Although I have lived in Lanzarote for most of that time, Gran Canaria has always been my dream Island to live on, yet it has taken me 13 years to get here.
The Gran Canaria Regional BLOG offers a platform for bloggers to write about Gran Canaria. This article represents the personal opinion and impression of the author. We like to offer a wide range of opinions and impressions to our readers. Do you have any suggestions for this article, did you notice an error? Do you have Canarian recipe you need to share? Would you also like to write about Gran Canaria? Please contact us here.