For its first two years the Festival was held in Manilva Town, but because of its popularity, and subsequent expansion, it was decided in 2004 to hold it in Castillo and the Port. This was such a success that this year’s event will be staged at the same location. Starting Monday 14th May there will be nightly concerts at the Castle in Castillo de la Duquesa featuring musicians and dancers from various countries.
Then on Friday the action moves to the Marina with a craft market as well as cultural exhibits from all the nations taking part in this year’s event who include: Argentina, Bulgaria, Ecuador, England, France, Holland, India, Ireland, Peru, Scotland, Spain, Thailand and Venezuela.
In the evening, starting at 7.00 pm there will be an opportunity to browse the various nationalities' tents and view the cultural items on display. This will be followed by an evening of entertainment.
On Saturday, 19th May, starting at 2.30 pm, there will be an opening ceremony after which all the different countries will be providing an opportunity to sample their national dishes, and as you wander amongst the casitas you are spoilt for choice, and if last year’s offerings are anything to go by you will not be needing much to eat that evening.
Whilst you are partaking of this culinary extravaganza there is a constant supply of entertainment on the main stage which will again feature acts representing the various nations participating and will finish off in the evening with a headline finale.
And if that doesn’t convince you to come along maybe if I were to mention the fact that all the food, drink and entertainment on offer is free! Well surely that should be enough encouragement.
Programme:
Castillo de la Duquesa
Monday, 14th
20:00 Opening Ceremony
20:30 Can-Can
Tuesday, 15th
20:30 Stagecoach presents children's music hall
Wednesday, 16th
Variety show featuring:
20:30 Billy Robinson sings Sinatra
21:00 Pedro Quiñones and his Salsa school
22:00 Steve Lloyd Morgan
Thursday, 17th
20:30 Argentinian Gaucho dancing
Friday, 18th
19:00 Opening Ceremony
19:30 Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band
20:30 Municipal Flamenco School of Manilva
21:00 To be announced
Saturday, 19th
14:30 Participating countries will offer tradition food and drink for visitors to sample.
16:00 Parade of participants in traditional national costume.
16:45 Eastern dance
17:20 Indian dancing
17:40 Mexican Mariachi group
18:00 Ecuadorian dancing
18:20 Tango
18:40 Argentinean dance
19:00 Columbian dancing
19:15 Line dancing
19:45 Irish folk dance
20:30 Baraka
Now in its sixth year, the Manilva International Festival is an opportunity for the different nationalities which make up Manilva’s multi-ethnic community to showcase their culture, arts and gastronomy.
