THE RIBEIRA SACRA, SCENE OF THE 17TH FESTIVAL, CLOSER TO BECOMING A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
The Ribeira Sacra is getting closer and closer to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A natural area located between Lugo and Ourense, in Galicia, characterized by its sloping vineyards and its spectacular Sil river crossing the canyon.
The candidacy of this territory, where the 17th Ribeira Sacra festival is held, is the one chosen to achieve the highest recognition from UNESCO with a proposal that the committee will analyze in 2026, after years of work to achieve it. You can read more about it here.
Making a festival like this is a pride and a challenge for us. That is why we are clear that we must be sustainable and respectful, creating scenarios and actions that do not impact the locations, in short: the environment remains intact after each edition.
Why is the 17th Ribeira Sacra festival a unique experience in Galicia?
The 17th Ribeira Sacra festival celebrates its eighth edition this year and is one of the most special projects of the Galician cultural scene. On this occasion, it will be on July 26, 27 and 28 when the Ribeira Sacra will experience an event characterized by the care of the territory and its promotion among the public through music, gastronomy or experiences. All of this with a focus on the experience of the attendees, but also on the care and respect for the territory, with strategies of sustainability and accessibility. Thanks to this approach, the 17th Ribeira Sacra won the Iberian Fest award for Best Small Format Festival in 2023.
What makes it so special? First of all, its location, based on the event. The Ribeira Sacra, between Ourense and Lugo, is a monumental landscape, with great canyons through which the Sil River flows, heroic vineyards and millenary traditions. A rural environment that 17º Ribeira Sacra wants to value by inviting the public not only to visit it, but also to get to know it and connect in depth.
The event takes place in different scenarios of the area, viewpoints, old and modern wineries or squares of small villages. Every day is a discovery. On these stages the public will have access to a first class musical program, which has nothing to envy to that found in urban environments. In addition, the nature of the festival to keep its small format makes the concerts more special, achieving a perfect communion between artists and audience.
Gastronomy is another fundamental pillar. Top Michelin chefs such as Lucía Freitas or Álvaro Veira, with proposals made exclusively for the event, have passed through the kitchens of the 17th Ribeira Sacra. In addition, the raw materials used in the menus are of the highest quality, 0 kilometer products and small local businesses.
Another of its strong points is the Experiences program , a way of getting to know the Ribeira Sacra in depth, using all the senses. Tastings with professionals to discover the best wines, some of them accompanied by music. Or guided routes through traditional places, with which to learn about the traditions and heritage of the area. In short, a way to complete the festival in the best way.
Did you think that was all? Well, no. The festival also has a space dedicated to Art with exhibitions specially designed for the event by artists related to the territory.