Almería, June 22, 2025 – At the break of dawn, the historic Alcazaba of Almería welcomed over a hundred artists, educators, students, and citizens for the 14th edition of “Amanecer en la Alcazaba” – a luminous cultural tribute at sunrise that this year honored Celia Viñas, the beloved poet and teacher, and Perra Martínez, actor and activist, in a powerful celebration of memory, literature, and inclusion.
Organized by the Universidad Popular de Almería (CEPER Celia Viñas) and supported by a wide network of literary, educational, and community organizations, the event spanned multiple spaces in the Alcazaba, beginning at 5:00 a.m. with poetry readings, music, art exhibitions, and theatrical performances under the first light of day.
The program includes:
-
Poetry by students and teachers from CEPR Celia Viñas and local schools, inspired by Viñas’ legacy and the poetic form of “Tú eres el agua.”
-
A moving exhibition titled “La Chanca con Celia”, created by students of CEIP La Chanca, interweaving memories of Almería’s historic neighborhood through photos, poems, and testimonies.
-
Tributes to Perra Martínez, whose life and work as a queer artist and performer were remembered through poetry, theater, and a special PoX workshop.
-
Live music and storytelling, with contributions from guitarists, dancers, and narrators, including performances of “Plaza de la Virgen del Mar” and “Perteneces al olvido.”
-
A symbolic stairway of water, inspired by Celia Viñas’ verses and recreated by Paqui Cortés, titled “Puñera de Agua.”
-
The “Otra Celia” photo exhibit, featuring 39 archival images of Celia Viñas in collaboration with Fundación Mallorca Literaria and the USK Almería collective, revealing a more intimate portrait of the poet’s life.
Special thanks were extended to Almedina Baraka, the storytelling group La Troupe Insurgente La Nube, and a range of cultural institutions and associations that collaborated to bring the event to life.
The event also commemorated the memory of Perra Martínez with tenderness and power, affirming the festival’s commitment to social justice, queer visibility, and the transformative role of literature and performance in public spaces.
As stated in the program:
“Madrugada… un beso de agua”
— Celia Viñas Olivella
Amanecer en la Alcazaba 2025 affirmed once more that dawn in Almería is not only a time of day but a cultural and poetic movement that continues to grow, inspire, and illuminate.
