How a Classical Music Festival in the Heart of Rioja Became One of Spain’s Most Inspiring Cultural Stories
In the northern stretch of Spain, where the Ebro River winds through quiet towns and vineyards, you’ll find a region known for its wine, hospitality, and a rhythm of life that moves with a certain calm. La Rioja has always had stories to tell. For centuries, pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago have passed through Logroño, sharing songs, prayers, and moments of reflection. Winemakers have tended their vines with the same dedication for generations. Families have kept traditions alive through fiestas, food, and the gentle pulse of their community life.
It’s in this environment—rich with history, warmth, and generosity—that the La Rioja Festival was born. What began as a dream to bring world-class classical music into everyday Rioja life has become one of Spain’s most distinctive cultural events. And at the center of that dream is acclaimed guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas and the nonprofit that powers it all: Asociación Cuerdas en Común.
A Festival Rooted in Community, Not Stages
Many classical music festivals rely on prestige venues and formal concert halls. La Rioja Festival chose a different path. Inspired by the open, inclusive character of the region, the festival brings music directly to the places where people naturally gather. Performances happen in historic churches, small theaters, plazas, wineries, and cultural spaces that have carried the region’s stories for centuries. The intention is not to elevate music away from the community but to let it live comfortably within it.
This approach creates a sense of intimacy that feels rare in today’s cultural landscape. Concerts unfold in spaces shaped by local life, and the transition from performance to evening strolls through Logroño’s old town feels natural and unforced. Visitors may find themselves enjoying a glass of Rioja moments after hearing a string quartet, or chatting with locals who have been attending concerts since the festival’s earliest days. The connection between audience, place, and performance becomes seamless.
The Artistic Vision of Pablo Sainz Villegas
Pablo Sainz Villegas—one of the world’s leading classical guitarists—is not only the festival’s founder but also its guiding force. Known for his expressive, deeply human playing, Pablo carries La Rioja in his artistic identity. His work reflects a belief that music should be shared openly and generously, reaching people where they are.
Under his artistic direction, the festival has welcomed an impressive selection of musicians and ensembles who highlight the richness of Spain’s classical tradition while inviting international influences into the region. Performers connected to major cultural institutions, celebrated chamber groups, rising international soloists, and Pablo himself have shaped the festival’s artistic character. Past appearances by artists such as Midori, Nikolai Lugansky, Cuarteto Quiroga, Orfeón Donostiarra, and ADDA Simfònica have contributed to its growing reputation. Yet despite this level of prestige, the atmosphere remains grounded, warm, and reflective of Pablo’s own artistic values.
The Nonprofit Behind the Festival: Asociación Cuerdas en Común (Strings in Common)
Behind the festival’s artistic brilliance is the mission-driven work of Cuerdas en Común, a nonprofit dedicated to using music as a bridge between people, communities, and cultures. Their work extends far beyond the festival calendar. They create educational programs, support young musicians, and cultivate cultural initiatives that reach across the region.
At the heart of Cuerdas en Común is a simple belief: music is a shared language. Whether offered in a school, a small rural town, or a festival concert hall, music has the power to strengthen social ties and create a sense of belonging. Through their efforts, the festival becomes more than a series of performances, it becomes a cultural ecosystem that nurtures the community and supports its artistic future.
A Region Made for Gathering
To understand La Rioja Festival, you must understand La Rioja itself. This is a region defined by hospitality, where meals stretch unhurried into late afternoon and conversations flow easily. Vineyards here are not just agricultural plots, they are family histories shaped over generations. The Camino de Santiago brings travelers from around the world, adding a quiet spirit of reflection and exchange.
The festival embraces this character completely. It’s not interested in separating travelers from local life. Instead, it invites them to join it. Music becomes a shared experience woven into the landscape, surrounded by vineyards, medieval architecture, and the timeless rhythm of rural Spain.
Why This Festival Matters
The La Rioja Festival is significant not only for the quality of its programming but also for the values that drive it. Through thoughtful artistic choices, community programming, and an inclusive spirit, the festival has created a cultural tradition that feels both elevated and approachable. It honors the past while building toward the future. It offers world-class artistry without losing the warmth of human connection.
Its rapid growth into one of northern Spain’s most compelling cultural events speaks to the clarity of its vision and the dedication of the people behind it.
A Note from Musical Getaways: Our Partnership with the Festival
Musical Getaways is proud to be an official collaborator of the La Rioja Festival. This partnership allows us to support the artistic mission of the festival and the work of Asociación Cuerdas en Común while offering our travelers a thoughtful and well-curated way to experience the region.
For every guest who joins our La Rioja Festival Wine & Music Tour, we contribute a $300 donation to Strings in Common, helping sustain their educational and cultural programs throughout La Rioja. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to meaningful cultural travel, community engagement, and the belief that music can enrich life in many forms.
Through this connection, we’re able to offer a guided experience that honors the spirit of the festival and the people who make it possible, an invitation to enjoy the music, the wine, and the warmth of a region that continues to inspire.
