thesilkroadtoday
Almería, Spain – June 21, 2025
The 14th edition of Amanecer en la Alcazaba unfolded with poetic fervor and emotional resonance, dedicated this year to two powerful artistic figures: the revered poet and educator Celia Viñas, and the beloved actor and performer Perra Martínez. The event, held in the historic setting of the Alcazaba of Almería, drew crowds from across the region to honor the legacy of poetry, resistance, and creative transformation.
This year’s symbolic opening salute was delivered by Celia Riva Viñas, niece of Celia Viñas, described by organizers as “a living memory, an absolute privilege.” Her words set the tone for a heartfelt gathering of poetry, performance, and remembrance.
A Full Day of Artistic Celebration
The event began at 4:30 a.m. with tea and spoken word by Almedina Baraka, followed by a poetic offering from painter Leonor Lestiscose Egea, featuring verses dedicated to Celia Viñas. Attendees were also treated to the screening of previously unreleased images from the short film “Quiero,” a work by Yolanda Martínez, Luria, and Pedro García Cazorla, centered around Perra Martínez.
The program unfolded across three main spaces of the Alcazaba:
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The Main Entrance and First Enclosure hosted multilingual poetry readings, storytelling for children, visual poem installations, and a symbolic “water games” segment led by La Troupe Insurgente La Nueve.
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The Esplanade of the Torre de la Vela offered a stage for flamenco-infused recitations, theatrical dialogues, and musical performances inspired by the poetry of Celia Viñas. Among the participants were artists such as Zoe (child reciter), Francisco Fernández, Francisco Vargas, and Almería de Albéniz.
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The Second Enclosure (Aljibe Area) served as the site of poetic duets, dance, and song titled “Cantos de Celia”, and a closing homage to Perra Martínez organized by the Taller Poex collective of Berja.
Homage to Perra Martínez: Art, Identity, and Resistance
From 7:00 to 7:55 a.m., Taller Poex presented a powerful tribute to Perra Martínez—actor and trans performer—whose legacy has inspired both poetic and political imagination in Almería’s creative circles. The tribute featured performances by Casa Árbol’s artists, including Rosa Sélavy, Miguel Parra-Uribe, and Carmen Díez de Rivera. It was a moment of collective memory and identity, reaffirming the festival’s inclusive and defiant spirit.
Special Exhibitions
Complementing the performances were several exhibitions, most notably “Una otra Celia”, a photographic retrospective commemorating 39 years of Celia Viñas Olivella. Curated with the support of the Fundación Mallorca Literaria, this selection of images will remain on display at the Alcazaba until July 15.
Other visual arts exhibits included:
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“Retales y geografías” on carnivals and poetic masks.
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“Las indómitas” by Inmaculada Francés, and the “Retrato de un instante” photo collection.
A Living Tradition
Once again, Amanecer en la Alcazaba reaffirmed its status as one of the most poetic sunrises of the year in Almería—where memory, literature, and community meet the first light in a fortress of dreams. With performances from over 30 artists and heartfelt dedications to Celia Viñas and Perra Martínez, the 2025 edition wove together the past and present, continuing a tradition of cultural awakening in the south of Spain.
