THE CULTURAL REGATTA BRINGS MUSIC AND TRADITION TO THE RACE VILLAGE OF THE LOUIS VUITTON 37TH AMERICA'S CUP
The Race Village of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, located at the Moll de la Fusta in Barcelona, has become the epicenter of local culture and music during the celebration of the world's most prestigious sailing event. From August 22 until the end of racing in October, this space of over 27,000 square meters is hosting a diverse program of concerts and shows framed within the Cultural Regatta – a program promoted by the Barcelona City Council that includes more than two hundred activities organised by over sixty local entities.
The events programme at the Race Village is centered on musical performances taking place from Thursday to Sunday, starting at 1900. Gisela Sais, the cultural events coordinator, has designed an outstanding schedule that features the participation of local musical groups. The list of artists include Xarim Aresté, Clara Gispert, Queralt Lahoz, Maria Rodés, and Marala, all of whom will be performing during September and October. These concerts will take place on the Race Village stage with capacity for an audience of about nine hundred people.
In addition to the music, popular culture also has a place at the 37th America's Cup. Schools, organisations, and cultural facilities from the Ciutat Vella district are presenting a range of activities that include all kinds of performances. The offerings are diverse, allowing attendees to enjoy everything from Afro-Latin music concerts – such as those by Koyam Project – to flamenco performances, like those by Tablao Sur.
According to Elena Soldevila, Events Coordinator for the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup: “The entire program is designed to be enjoyed by the locals, while also bringing our music and culture closer to all the visitors we have over the period of the event.” All age groups have been taken into consideration. As an example, for the younger audience various DJ performances have been included, both on the central stage and in the various Fan Zones.
During the La Mercè festivities – Barcelona's Festa Major – the Mercè Arts de Carrer festival (MAC) also joins the Race Village activities with an artistic event programme centred around the sea. This initiative features the city's waterfront to offer various types of performances that reflect Barcelona's connection with its maritime environment.
Finally, on October 10 Bogatell Beach will host one of the most significant moments, the America's Cup Opening Ceremony, an event that will mark the official start of the Match Race Final of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, the most anticipated moment of the competition. This celebration, led by the Barcelona Capital Nautical Foundation, promises to be impactful and unique, where, according to the organizers, "visual poetry and technology will serve to heighten the emotion." The event will be broadcast live on screens at Moll de la Fusta and in other Fan Zones along the maritime waterfront.
Although the program is well-established, Soldevila points out that the organization remains flexible and ready to introduce new activities based on the audience present at the time: “As the competition progresses and teams are eliminated more people from the finalist nationalities will arrive to the city and their interests also need to be considered too.” The Cultural Regatta is very much a “living event” that will evolve in sync with the action on the water.
Because of this wide variety of activities, the Race Village of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup will become the key meeting point in the city of Barcelona for enthusiasts of culture, music, and sports.
Sònia de Jaime
Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Volunteer